Being one of the largest countries in Eurasia, Russia was relatively spread out with a small population. There were many little towns and villages, but there were only three major cities that held any of importance to Russia. Moscow and St. Petersburg were of the main focus to those that wished to control Russia as if you had those two; Russia was in your command. If an invader controlled Moscow, they gain command of the capital, whilst if they invaded St. Petersburg they gained control over the railways and trade posts of Russia.
Most of Russia’s population was made up of serfs and peasants. Most of them were very poor, had little to no land, and received extremely high taxes, resulting in the loss of much of their little income. On the opposite side of the pyramid was the nobility, and aristocrats, the higher classes. These people received an exemption from taxes and lived a life of wealth of luxury. The inequality between these two groups would eventually lead to the spark of the Russian Revolution over the bread taxes.
Since Russia’s population in comparison to its land size was extremely small, when the country had to send much of its young forces to war, the country was in a weak state. The First World War has started and the battle against Germany had started. Though many soldiers in the army had mixed feelings about the war, many did not wish to continue to fight. This also led to a revolt when Lenin came to power as the leader of the Bolsheviks in 1917. He returned from exile with the slogan, “Peace, Land, and Bread” this was one of the driving factors in the early stage of the revolts. Many peasants wanted land, many families wanted peace; for their sons to come home from war, and all wanted bread to eat.
Lastly were the taxes. Much of the serfs and peasants income went towards national taxes, vodka taxes, and bread taxes (there were many more), leaving little to no money for the families to survive the harsh life in Russia. Sadly the higher class had been exempted from the taxes. Leaving them to dine on feasts in big war houses, with much money to spare. The differences between the two would eventually lead in the Russian Revolutions.
Having such vast differences in equality and treatment, unfair taxes, and a harsh war were the three major points that led to Russia’s Royalty fall from power. With Lenin in command of the major cities, Russia was in a new era, a stage of Revolution with its people and country. Though in the future worse was to come from Lenin’s rule.
by
texasbex1 (student)
