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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.
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).