Social Inequality

Define these terms in your own words:

★ Feudalism (Existing social system in Russia)

★ Serf (Servants legally obligated to work for a landowner under
feudalism)
★ Lord (Landowners under feudalism)
★ Great Reforms (Alexander II’s laws which freed the serfs. Modernized
Russia and would make life better for peasants, but would bring
social inequality)
★ Zemstvos (Local bodies of government which exposed peasants to
freedom to govern)
★ Tsar Alexander II (Leader who freed the serfs, widely liked by Russia’s
population)
★ Tsar Alexander III (Leader who took control after Alexander II’s
execution, hurt civil liberties)
★ Industrialization (The process that began in Russia which created short
term poverty and inequality in the hopes of advanced technology and
wealth long term)

True or False:
★ Europe’s feudal system lasted until 1861 False
★ Russia’s serf population was large True
★ After emancipation, Lords controlled the government, just like always False
★ At this time, Russia’s factories had less advanced technology than Europe True
★ The peasants hated the Tsar, since they blamed him for their being in poverty
False
★ Industrializing countries have social classes with equal numbers of people False
★ Since more advanced technology leads to more efficient production, most citizens
in industrializing countries grow richer False
★ Social divisions in Russia were obvious True

Questions:
1. What did Populists believe? Do you agree with their mission? Why or why not?
Populists believed in socialism, a system where wealth would be
distributed by the government in certain areas to minimize
inequality. Populists attempted to get the peasantry on their side to
oppose the Tsar’s government. The peasants rejected this message,
since they saw the Tsar as their protector.
2. Who were “The People’s Will?” What did they attempt?
The People’s Will was an extremist group who assassinated Tsar
Alexander II.

3. What was the immediate result of these actions? (Who came to power?)
Tsar Alexander II’s son, Alexander III, came to power.

4. What happened to civil liberties in Russia as a result?

Civil liberties were hurt. Freedom of press, protections and rights for
those accused of crimes, and rights for religious and ethnic minorities
decreased significantly.

5. What were the peasant farmers’ major complaints? How could these problems be
fixed?
Peasant farmers had primitive technology and were held back by
Russia’s economic structure (the commune system). These problems
could be fixed by: changing the economic structure, making more
advanced technology affordable and available.

6. What were the peasant workers’ major complaints? How could these problems be
fixed?
Peasant workers worked long hours, had dirty and crowded working
and living conditions. These problems could be fixed by: minimum
wage, unionization, laws for workers’ rights.

7. If you were the Tsar, what actions (if any) would you take?
Up to the student. Possible answers:
A) I would do nothing and allow industrialization to run its course.
B) I would create laws to protect peasant workers and farmers
(minimum wage, right to unionize).