During the Russian Revolution of 1917, the working class, known as the proletariat, played a crucial role in transforming Russian society. Living in harsh conditions in urban areas, factory workers endured long hours, dangerous working conditions, and low wages under the rule of Tsar Nicholas II. These workers, along with peasants who had moved to cities seeking employment, became increasingly frustrated with their poor living conditions and lack of political representation. When food shortages and World War I's devastating effects intensified their hardships, workers began organizing strikes and protests. Led by the Bolsheviks, who promised "Peace, Land, and Bread," the working class participated in both the February Revolution that overthrew the Tsar and the October Revolution that brought Vladimir Lenin and the Communists to power, fundamentally changing Russia's social and political landscape. 

• Factory Workers, Soldier, Farmers, seamstress.

• Low wages, generally poorly educated

• Generally religious - Russian Orthodox

• Poor living conditions in urban and rural Russia

• History as Serfs (Slaves in Russia)

• Largest Portion on the population 

During the Russian Revolution, the middle class, known as the bourgeoisie, played a complex role in society. This educated urban class included professionals like doctors, lawyers, teachers, and business owners who initially supported the February Revolution of 1917 against Tsar Nicholas II's autocratic rule. They hoped for democratic reforms and more significant economic opportunities like those in Western Europe. However, their position became precarious when the Bolsheviks seized power in October 1917. The middle class faced substantial challenges as Lenin's government nationalized private businesses and viewed them with suspicion as potential counter-revolutionaries. Many middle-class Russians eventually lost their property and social status, with some choosing to flee the country while others attempted to adapt to the new Soviet system. 

• Doctors, Professors, Scientists, Owners and Managers, Priests and high religious officials.

• Generally well educated, College Degrees

• Generally Religious - Russian Orthodox

• Good living conditions, generally urban

The Russian Revolution of 1917 dramatically changed Russia's social hierarchy, particularly affecting the upper class, the nobility or aristocracy. Before the revolution, the Russian nobility enjoyed immense privileges, owned vast estates, and maintained luxurious lifestyles while peasants lived in poverty. When the Bolsheviks seized power, they specifically targeted these wealthy elites, viewing them as symbols of the oppressive tsarist regime. Many aristocrats faced persecution, with their properties being confiscated and redistributed. Those who could escape fled to other European countries, creating a significant Russian émigré community abroad. Some notable families, like the Yusupovs and Sheremetevs, lost everything they owned, and their grand palaces were converted into museums or government buildings. This period marked the end of centuries of aristocratic dominance in Russian society, fundamentally reshaping the country's social structure. 

• Generally, these people did not work and made money from family wealth and extensive land/industrial holdings

• Some were well educated, military education for men and artistic education for woman

• Very religious -  Russian Orthodox

• Best living conditions, Parties, Palaces, Country and City Estates

• The smallest portion of the population, including the Royals

• Nicholas II was the last reigning Emperor of Russia, from 1 November 1894 until his abdication on 15 March 1917. During his reign, Nicholas supported the economic and political reforms promoted by his prime ministers.

• He introduced the Duma as an advisory body to participate in government, provide oversight to the monarchy, and give fundamental legal rights,

• However, he dissolved the Duma when ideas such as land reform and trade union rights were introduced, increasing frustration with the monarchy.

Czar Nicholas II’s troops attacked unarmed protesters in St. Petersburg (became known as Bloody Sunday).

On 22 January 1905, Father Gapon led a march to deliver a petition to the Tsar. Thousands of workers took part in this peaceful protest. The workers were not trying to overthrow the Tsar. They believed that the Tsar did not know of their plight. Instead, they blamed the Tsarist ministers and officials.

Russian soldiers brutally put down this demonstration of factory workers. Up to 200 people were killed by rifle fire and Cossack charges. This event became known as Bloody Sunday and is seen as one of the key causes of the 1905 Revolution.

The aftermath brought about a short-lived revolution in which the Tsar lost control of large areas of Russia. The revolution failed, but it served as a severe warning of what might happen.

1. There were centuries of abuse by the tsars, significant class divisions between the nobility, peasants, and proletariat (workers), the influence of Karl Marx and his communist ideas on revolutionary leaders such as Lenin and Trotsky, and Russian involvement in WWI.

2. The Russian Revolution started during World War I because of increased instability in Russia with high casualty rates and fuel and food shortages during the winter of 1916-1917.

3. Terrible conditions on the Eastern Front during WWI and in major cities such as Moscow and St. Petersburg led to unrest among soldiers and citizens.

4. Worker strikes, food shortages, and the suffering of World War I led to the 1917 revolution in Russia.

5. Labor unrest strikes by women and demands for better working conditions and more personal freedoms contributed to the revolution.

The Bolshevik party, led by Vladimir Lenin, gained political power and support for the Soviets by promoting peace, land, and bread and adding his beliefs to Marx’s theory on communism.

Lenin and the Bolshevik party took over the provisional government in a bloodless coup d’état known as the October Revolution.

It called for a Soviet government that councils of workers, soldiers, and peasants would rule.

Civil war between the Red Army (Bolsheviks) and the White Army (loyalists to the czar and anti-communist supporters) ended in 1923.

The czar and his family were executed during the Civil War.

War communism was used to control Russian banks, industry, and food supplies seized from peasants all under the authority of the communist government.

Lenin’s Red Army officially established the Soviet Union.

Lenin introduced the New Economic Policy and renamed Russia the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR).

•Effects:

1. Execution of Czar Nicholas II and his family.

2. Beginning of the communist/socialist regime.

3. Communist government in Russia and the creation of the Soviet Union.

4. In the United States, the “red scare” of the 1920s resulted in people being arrested and imprisoned for their political and social beliefs.