Russia Prior to World War One

At the turn of the twentieth century, Russia was a vast but economically backward country. Its ruler, Tsar Nicholas the second, had complete power over the country's political and economic systems. The majority of the Russian population were poor, uneducated peasants dependent on an inadequate agricultural system, which led to dreadful living and working conditions. In stark contrast, the Aristocracy led very extravagant and elegant lifestyles. They held key positions in the Tsar's government as heads of local councils. The aristocracy were loyal to the Tsar and wanted to keep Russian society as it was so that they could maintain their powerful positions. However, during the first decade of the twentieth century all aspects of Russian society changed due to increasing industrialisation, growing opposition to Nicholas the second's rule and calls for more equality in the way Russia was governed.

Chapters

1. The Russian Empire Before 1905
2. Opposition to the Tsarist Rule
3. Nicholas II and the Russo-Japanese War
4. The Causes and Events of the 1905 Revolution
5. The Aftermath of 1905 - October Manifesto
6. Stolypin and his Policies
7. The Dumas and the Fundamental Laws
8. Russia Before the Outbreak of World War One