Why was Russia so unstable in 1917?

• Bad leadership
• Technologically behind
• Illiterate
• Taxation Censorship
• Repressive system
• Unpopular government
• Poverty
• Slow/disorganised bureaucracy
• Losing WW1
• Traditionalism
• Lack of jobs
• Population growth
• Tension
• Lack of trust
• Inflation
• Old fashioned methods of farming

Society

• 55.6 million Russians - majority Russia biased
• 22.4 million Ukraine
• 77% of population are peasants

Government

• 1917 - Tsar Nicholas II
• Didn't care, wasn't ready, stubborn, divine right
• Repression e.g. Jews
• Censorship, taxation

Socio-economic

• Need for modern farmers
• Growing population made it worse - 50% increase between 1860 and 1899

Culture

• Not scientific, want clear answers
• Making Marx's ideas appeal