ANALYSIS SHEET FOR THE FRENCH AND RUSSIAN REVOLUTIONS

THE LOWER CLASSES UNDER THE OLD REGIME FRANCE RUSSIA BOTH
THE PEASANTS
Over 80% of the population -- x
Subjection to aristocracy -- x
Hostility to the aristocracy -- x
General loyality to the monarch initially x --
Land hunger (population growth) -- x
High taxation (nobles resisted reform) -- x
Some Improvement in Previous Status -- x
Recent Crisis -- -
agrarianx --
war- x -
Tradition of protest and riot -- x
Prior targets of bourgeoisie ideologists -x -
Crisis in domestic industry x --
Recent revolutionary experiences -x -
Collective organizations (communes, mirs) -- x
Preponderance of army enlistees -- x
THE WORKERS
Small minority of population -- x
Dislocation of industrialization

(shift from craft to factory)

-- x
Concentration in major cities -- x
Crisis threatening food supply

(famine, war, hoarding)

-- x
Strong anti bourgeoisie feeling x --
Tradition of riot and protest -- x
Tradition of organization -- -
long standing x- -
recent- x -
Prior targets of bourgeoisie idealogists -x -
Recent depression, unemployment. inflation -- x
Recent revolutionary experience -x -
LOWER CLASSES DURING THE REVOLUTIONARY YEAR -- -
PEASANTS
Spontaneous attacks on aristocracy and feudal system -- x
Redefination of people as a nation -- x
Demands for peace --
Land- -x
Bread- -x
Anti-bourgeoisie or anti-capitalist actions -- x
Mobilization of bourgeoisie against common enemies -- x
Protest forcing the pace of the revolution -- x
Susceptable to fear and rumors -- x
Actions inspiring fear in bopurgeoisie x
Actions inspiring tension with town dwellers x --
Early satisfaction of major demands, then essentially opposed to further revolution x --
Mobilization for further revolution -x -
Patriotic response to foreign threats x --
WORKERS
Early strikes, demonstrations, riots, crucial in igniting the revolution -- x
Overriding concern with food supply

(particularily with the women)

-- x
Impatience with pace of change of governing bodies -- x
Early organization into revolutionary bodies -- x
Extensive acquisition of arms -- x
Actions inspiring fear in the bourgeoisie -- x
Mobilization for continued revolution -- x
Focus on revolutionary ideology -x -
Patriotic response to foreign threats x --