1. Upper Class (Aristocrats and Nobility):
This class consisted of individuals with inherited titles and wealth. They held high positions in government and the military, owned vast estates, and enjoyed significant privileges. Large landowners and industrialists also fell under this category.
2. Middle Class (Intelligentsia):
The middle class was relatively small and primarily consisted of educated professionals, such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, engineers, and intellectuals. They played a significant role in intellectual and cultural life, but they often faced restrictions in terms of career opportunities and social mobility.
3. Peasant Class:
The peasantry constituted the vast majority of Russian population. They lived in rural areas, working on the lands of wealthy landowners or as serfs. This class was often severely impoverished and subject to harsh living and working conditions.
4. Working Class:
This class comprised urban workers, factory laborers, miners, and industrial laborers. They were the backbone of the rapidly industrializing Russian economy, but they lived in poor conditions, faced harsh labor practices, and received meager wages.
5. Clergy:
The Russian Orthodox Church held a significant position in society, and the clergy enjoyed certain privileges and status. However, their power was waning, and they faced increasing criticism and opposition.
6. Merchants and Guild Members:
These merchants and skilled craftsmen belonged to guilds and specialized trades, and their wealth depended on their success in commerce. They often had considerable economic power but were ranked below the nobility in social hierarchy.
As the tensions and social disparities grew, the Russian Revolution ultimately led to a breakdown of the traditional class structure, paving the way for a communist regime that aimed to establish a more egalitarian society.