Section B Lives of the Workers
Alexander II and Alexander III working conditions
the 'new work discipline' introduced strict rules and regulations that ensured employers worked safely and efficienty. in 1882 under alexander III a factory inspetorate was set up and employment in factories of children under the age of 12 was banned (although not always followed).
Nicholas II working conditions
1896 an 11 hour working day was fixed by law. furthermore, in 1903 a workers insurance scheme was introduced which countered low wagesand by 1914 statutory holidays had been introduced and working hours reduced to 9-10 hours a day.
lenin working conditions
introduction of the rabkrin (workers and peasants inspectorate). in 1920 and was seen as a step backwards as it simply became a discussion group rather than one that enforced industrial law.
stalin working conditions
from 1932 he demanded workers opperated to a 10-12 hour working day to fulfil the requirements of the 5 year plans. the use of fines (10% of wages) was punishment for petty wrong doings. workers were threatened by being purged if they were considered anti-revolutionary. officials sometimes claimed that some workers intentionally damaged machinery and worker slowly to ruin progres of five year plans. as a result of the alleged success from the first five year plan, the working day was reduced to 7 hours but was increased again for WW2. bonus schemes were intrdced and the stakhanovite movement was popular.
khrushchevs working conditions
its not until 1954 under khrushchev that they started to reach levels of 1920s ( 5 year plans) . furthermore 1958 the working day stabalised at 7 hours and conditions improved due to destalinisation.
under the tsars living conditions
due to rapid urbanisation, there was an increased public health problems. housing was errected quickly and cheaply. demand for accommodation outstripped supply. 100,000 deaths due to cholera in st petersbury 1910. factories were located on the edge of cities adn transport links were slow. thus worker barracks were built that were overcrowded and unsanitary. workers shared bunk beds. small scale enterprie, workers usually slept in the work shops. skilled workers could afford to rent private rooms. factory workers suffered some of the worst conditions in russia
lenin living conditions
during revlution dwellings in towns and cities were wrested from private land owners and handed to the prolatariat. redistribution was placed in the hands of the soviets, improvements were short lived.
stalin living conditions
overcrowding once again became the norm. moscow mid 1930s 25% of people lived in one room that as shared between 2-3 house holds. 5% lived in a bathroom corridor or hallway. most social projects were put on holdto focus on 5 year plans.
khrushchev living conditions
between 1955 to 1964 the housing stock doubled and communal living was abandoned. emergence of housing cooperatives. benefitted professionals who could afford to pay deposits. authorities sensed living conditions were improving as people would rather stay home than attend political meetings.
under the tsars religious freedoms
support for the russian orthadox church which suppoted the tsars 'divine right to rule'. non orthadox groups such as catholics and muslims were tolerated. netherltheless, alexander III did encourage people to convert to orthadox.
lenin religious fredoms
religion was seen as the 'opium of the people' and after the revolution severe restrictions were placed on the Russian orthadox church. during the civil war churches were closed and their properties were confiscated. anti-religious pressure groups designed to promote aethism were formed. League of Militant Godless 1925.
stalin religious freedoms
during great terror stalin continued to close churches and purge senior clergymen. it was reported that by 1938 there were only 16 working orthadox churches compared to 224 in 1930. the number of clergy was reduced by 60% in this period
khrushchev religious freedoms
disregarded religion. 1961 the 22nd party congress published a new 'moral code' which was meant to replace the bible.