Contrast the lives of the wealthy and the lower classes in turn-of-the-century Russia. How did the disparity between social classes lead to rebellion and revolution?

When he first becomes the ruler of Russia, Nicholas acknowledges that he is“’not prepared to be tsar.’” (29) As a monarch, how does Nicholas fail to fulfill his duty to the Russian people? If Nicholas had been a more prepared and capable ruler, could he have prevented revolution?

What factors led the Russian working class to rebel in 1905? How did the social changes of the early twentieth century spur citizens to act? Were these early rebellions successful? Why or why not?