Russia entered the 20th century headed by Tzar Nicholas II, the figurehead of a dynasty that had long since descended into absurdity and a decadent and self-indulgent use of power. This dysfunctional leadership was not only a significant cause of, but also representative of the greater crisis Russia was undergoing on a political, economic and social level as Russia was “An 18th century country living in a 20th century world” . Any historian studying this period of history would be forced to draw the conclusion that “Russia was in crisis at the beginning of the 20th Century”. This crisis was attributable primarily to three factors. Firstly the economic situation in Russia, and the growing strains on society that the lack of economic and technological progress and social reform created. Secondly Russia’s stagnating position in relation to the other colonial European powers emphasised by its military defeats in the east. And, thirdly the failure of the monarchy to address these issues, or to introduce adequate and meaningful reforms (both political and social) which could begin to bring Russia into the 20th century.
In order to successfully prove that Russia was indeed in crisis at the beginning of the 20th century, we must look at the economic situation of the time. Living conditions were suffering enormously, and Russia’s inability to catch up with industrialisation was detrimental to its position in relation to the other world powers. In Russia 80% of the population were peasants. In 1902, respected author Leo Tolstoy (source A) stated that the “the rural population …are faced with famine which has become a normal condition”. Health conditions for the lower class were terrible with only 50% of children surviving past the age of 5, and the average life expectancy being 50. Freedom was given to the peasants to buy their own land, but redemption fees had to be paid for 49 years; an entire life span, making financial freedom practically impossible. The high fees...