Was Russia Ripe for Revolution in 1904?

... Was Russia Ripe for Revolution in 1904? In 1904, Russia was one of the most politically, socially and economically backward countries in Europe. Rapid industrialisation in the late nineteenth century and the building of the Trans-Siberian railway had begun to bring the country towards western standards. Despite these efforts to modernise, the vast majority of Russia's 120million strong population were poor, illiterate and politically ignorant peasants. The serfdom that had been abolished in England in the 13th century had been abolished just forty years earlier and local landlords and nobles still had a considerable amount of power in their local region. Many historians have compared 19th century Russia to medieval England. By the early 20th century, a new urban proletariat emerged. They were created by the huge demand for labour in industrial jobs, and were receptive to Western ideas, particularly concerning alternatives to the repressive Tsarist regime. By becoming aware of

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