Before 1917, the working population in Russia differed from that in other European countries in several notable ways:
- Divisions Among Workers: Russian workers were a socially divided group, segmented by skill and status. For example, metal workers considered themselves aristocrats among workers due to their higher skill and training, a division reflected in their dress and manners. This contrasted with many European countries where workers tended to be more united socially
- Strong Village Links: Many Russian workers maintained strong ties to their villages, often living there and commuting to cities for work, unlike the more permanently urbanized workforce common in Western Europe
- Weak Labor Organizations: Trade unions and workers' movements were less developed in Russia. While some workers formed associations to support members during unemployment or hardship, such groups were few and lacked the political power and legal recognition seen in other European nations. In contrast, countries like England and Germany had more organized unions and socialist parties with parliamentary representation
- Poor Working Conditions and Rights: Russian workers suffered from low wages, long working hours, and very limited political rights. Work conditions were largely unregulated, and labor laws were minimal compared to Western Europe, where workers often had better protections, social benefits, and political influence
- Agricultural Workforce: About 85% of Russia's population were agricultural workers, many of whom were landless peasants living under a communal land system. This was different from many European countries where peasants had different relationships to landownership and more political rights. Russian peasants were often in conflict with landowners and sought land redistribution
- Labor Force Composition: The Russian labor force included a large number of refugees, prisoners of war, and foreign laborers (e.g., Chinese and Koreans), who were employed in various sectors, especially mining and heavy industry. This diverse and often coerced labor force was less common in other European countries
In summary, compared to other European countries before 1917, Russia's working population was more socially fragmented, less politically organized, had weaker labor protections, maintained rural ties, and included a large agricultural peasant class with poor living conditions. These factors contributed to the distinct social dynamics and tensions in Russia's labor force leading up to the revolution
