How important was agriculture as a cause of Russia’s problems by March 1917?
Level
O LEVEL
Year Examined
2021
Topic
RUSSIA, 1905–41
👑Complete Model Essay
How important was agriculture as a cause of Russia’s problems by March 1917?
How Important was Agriculture as a Cause of Russia’s Problems by March 1917?
By March 1917, Russia was a nation on the brink of collapse. The Tsarist regime teetered precariously, burdened by a multitude of issues. While agriculture played a significant role in Russia's woes, it would be an oversimplification to declare it the sole or even the most crucial factor. This essay will explore the role of agriculture in Russia's problems, juxtaposing it against other significant contributing factors.
Agriculture's Contribution to Unrest
Undeniably, agriculture played a significant role in fueling discontent within Russia. The majority of the population were peasants, and their lives were fraught with hardship. Land ownership remained a major point of contention. The most fertile land was concentrated in the hands of the nobility, leaving peasants with meager plots and a constant struggle for survival. This disparity fueled resentment towards the aristocracy and occasionally erupted into violence, such as during the 1905 Revolution with widespread land seizures and arson.
The situation worsened during World War I. Grain requisitioning to feed the army exacerbated existing food shortages in cities, leading to inflation and widespread hunger. The conscription of millions of peasants into the army further crippled agricultural productivity. This not only reduced the available workforce during crucial harvesting periods but also fostered resentment among soldiers forced to fight while their families starved. Mutinies and desertions became increasingly common, undermining the war effort.
Furthermore, Russia's agricultural sector remained largely stuck in the past. The lack of mechanization and modern farming techniques resulted in low productivity compared to other European powers. While Stolypin's reforms attempted to modernize agriculture by encouraging a class of wealthy Kulaks, this inadvertently widened the gap between rich and poor peasants, further fueling social unrest and lending support to radical groups like the Socialist Revolutionaries (SRs).
Beyond the Fields: Tsarist Autocracy and its Failings
However, attributing Russia’s problems solely to agriculture would be a mistake. The fundamental issue lay in the Tsarist autocracy itself. The outdated system stifled political participation and proved increasingly incapable of addressing the needs of a modernizing society. The Tsar's authority, perceived as divinely ordained, discouraged dissent and prevented necessary reforms.
The Tsar’s personal weaknesses exacerbated the situation. The humiliating defeat in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905) exposed the regime's incompetence and sparked widespread unrest, culminating in the 1905 Revolution. While the subsequent October Manifesto promised reforms, including the establishment of the Duma (parliament), these proved largely ineffective. The Tsar's decision to assume command of the army in 1915, leaving the Tsarina and the infamous Rasputin in charge, further alienated the populace and eroded confidence in the monarchy.
Moreover, the socio-economic impacts of World War I cannot be ignored. Food and fuel shortages, rampant inflation, and deteriorating living and working conditions plagued the urban centers. This, coupled with the growth of trade unionism and radical socialist ideologies, created a volatile environment ripe for revolution.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while agriculture played a significant role in Russia's problems by March 1917, it was not the sole or even the most critical factor. The inherent flaws of the Tsarist autocracy, the Tsar's personal shortcomings, and the disastrous consequences of World War I all contributed to the revolutionary atmosphere. Ultimately, it was a confluence of these factors, with agricultural unrest acting as a significant but not singular catalyst, that ultimately brought Tsarist Russia crashing down.
Sources:
Figes, O. (1996). A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924. London: Pimlico.
Pipes, R. (1990). The Russian Revolution. New York: Knopf.
Service, R. (1991). A History of Twentieth-Century Russia. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
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I. Importance of Agriculture as a Cause of Russia's Problems by March 1917
A. Peasant Discontent
1. Land ownership disparities between peasants and landlords
2. Riots, violence, and property destruction in the countryside
B. Wartime Pressures
1. Grain requisitioning led to food shortages
2. Peasants conscripted into the army during harvest time
3. Food shortages and inflation in cities
4. Mutiny and desertion on the front lines
C. Underdeveloped Agricultural Practices
1. Old farming methods and lack of mechanization
2. Stolypin's reforms created a prosperous kulak class
3. Growing support for left-wing populist parties
II. Arguments against Agriculture as a Primary Cause
A. Tsarist Autocracy
1. Lack of representation and outdated political system
2. Tsar's poor decision-making and alienation of elites
B. Socio-economic Effects of War
1. Food and fuel shortages in cities
2. Inflation and declining living conditions
3. Growth of trade unionism and socialist parties
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How important was agriculture as a cause of Russia’s problems by March 1917? Explain your answer.
YES
Peasants in the countryside did not own the best land compared to Russian landlords; this led to riots in the countryside and the killing of landlords, burning of property (peasant land issue). Grain requisitioning during wartime also contributed to the problem. Peasants also made up the mass of the Russian Imperial Army and were not available during harvest, which led to food shortages in the cities and inflation of food prices. This, in turn, led to mutiny on ships and desertion from the front line. Russia's agriculture was undeveloped and still used old methods; a lack of mechanisation and new farming methods was a major problem. Stolypin's reforms encouraged a rich kulak class to grow at the expense of poorer peasants who gained little, leading to greater support for left-wing populist parties such as the SRs.
NO
More importantly, Tsarist autocracy was outdated and did not allow proper representation or democracy demanded by some liberals and socialists; this led to poor decision making. Weaknesses of the Tsar – in 1915 he went to the front line as Supreme Commander, leaving Tsarina and Rasputin in charge, which alienated nobility and ministers. The 1904-05 Russo-Japanese War was a humiliating defeat for Russia and caused socio-economic problems at home, leading to Bloody Sunday and the 1905 Revolution, weakening the Tsar who had to enact the October Manifesto, which allowed the Duma, individual rights and the legalisation of political parties, many of which were anti-Tsarist. The socio-economic effects of the First World War – food and fuel shortages, inflation in cities, workers' living and working conditions, the growth of trade unionism, and left-wing socialist/Marxist parties all contributed to the problems facing Russia.