Figure 1.--Tsarist Russia was the least prepared for war. This is the Russia that Tsar Nicholas took to War. Russia had the fastest growing industrial sector in Europe, but it was still pootly developed compared to Germany. While a modern sector existed in the major cities, Russia had a largely agraian economy and population. Most of the population lived in rural areas under virtully medieval conditions. Barefoot children were commoin in Eastern Europe, but notice here that the men are barefoot. Notice the high-angled roof, designed to avoid snow build up. Russia's industry or transport system was in no condition to sustain a war against an industrial power like Germany, especially an industrial powerhouse like Germany. Even so the large Russian Army forced the Germans to divide their forces, making possible the French stand in the West. Source: 484-18129.

This Keystone stereoscopic view card (484-18129) was made about 1900 and reflects the situation that would have been common throught rural Russia. The caption ob the back of the card read, "Interesting peasant folk in the street of a rural vilage in Russia: In a country so vast as Russuia, and where conditions are in such a radical state of change, it is impossible to make broad general statements and feel sure they are accurate. European Russia, as we know it, is almost as large as the United States, and Siberia twice that size. In the turmoil that followed the Rvolutionnew countries were carved outof tge ancient empire almost over night, and new govermental ideas are still in the making. Industry and education, agriculture and cmmerce all had to take their place in the new regime. The vastness of the country, however, and the characteristivs of the land and of the people, are not the things that change suddenly. The Russian peasant and the Russian village remain and for along time will remain as they have been for centuries. The mass of the people cannot read and write and education will be slow to extend. The people are sturdy, able to enbdure hardship, anbd frugal, largely because theyy have nbevcer had real prosperity as Americans know it. But their country is rich in natural resources. Russis hardly touched yet for broad development. With teir bodily vigor and frigality, it seems cerytain thast somneday, as condiutions enlighten them, the Russians will take a much more important place in the world. Vilage life in Russia .is simple in the extrene, evcen primotive. Such communities have little in common with the American small townand its up-to-date people and conditions."

Created: 3:03 PM 7/4/2014
Last updated: 3:03 PM 7/4/2014