The main myths about the "prosperous" Russian Empire
The Russian Empire, which at the beginning of the 20th century was one of the largest countries in the world, ceased to exist after the 1917 revolution and became a thing of the past. However, today, the ennobled image of tsarist Russia is heavily imposed on our society, embellished with numerous myths that contradict historical facts.
So, one of them says that the Russian Empire was an industrialized country. But in fact, at the beginning of the last century, Russia remained a predominantly agrarian power, and its share in world industry was only 5%.
Misconceptions are also stories about the "abundant" life of peasants. Feudal remnants, low land, technical backwardness and crop failure often became the cause of mass starvation. One of the most significant happened in 1891 and covered 17 provinces.
The myth of the high wages of workers can also be attributed to this. In 1912, the average per capita income in the Russian Empire was 110 rubles. For comparison, when converted to rubles, in Germany this figure reached 300, in England - 500, and in the USA - 720 p.
There was no national equality in tsarist Russia. Many peoples of the empire were subjected to severe oppression. For them, a special term was even introduced - “foreigners”.
Often the Russian Empire is credited with high morality, but this is also a myth. The beginning of the 20th century was the dawn of drug addiction in the country, and legal prostitution was perceived as a natural order of things.
As for education, its accessibility is also greatly exaggerated. By 1914, there were only 1000 students per 59 students.
And finally, another misconception is the assertion that in the Russian Empire there were no prerequisites for a revolution. By 1917, the autocracy began to lose support among all classes, and social relations within the country represented a tangle of contradictions.
The myths spreading today about the prosperous Russian Empire are nothing more than capitalist propaganda aimed at further strengthening the bourgeoisie and exploiting the working class.
So, one of them says that the Russian Empire was an industrialized country. But in fact, at the beginning of the last century, Russia remained a predominantly agrarian power, and its share in world industry was only 5%.
Misconceptions are also stories about the "abundant" life of peasants. Feudal remnants, low land, technical backwardness and crop failure often became the cause of mass starvation. One of the most significant happened in 1891 and covered 17 provinces.
The myth of the high wages of workers can also be attributed to this. In 1912, the average per capita income in the Russian Empire was 110 rubles. For comparison, when converted to rubles, in Germany this figure reached 300, in England - 500, and in the USA - 720 p.
There was no national equality in tsarist Russia. Many peoples of the empire were subjected to severe oppression. For them, a special term was even introduced - “foreigners”.
Often the Russian Empire is credited with high morality, but this is also a myth. The beginning of the 20th century was the dawn of drug addiction in the country, and legal prostitution was perceived as a natural order of things.
As for education, its accessibility is also greatly exaggerated. By 1914, there were only 1000 students per 59 students.
And finally, another misconception is the assertion that in the Russian Empire there were no prerequisites for a revolution. By 1917, the autocracy began to lose support among all classes, and social relations within the country represented a tangle of contradictions.
The myths spreading today about the prosperous Russian Empire are nothing more than capitalist propaganda aimed at further strengthening the bourgeoisie and exploiting the working class.
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