Middle Classes - 1894-1914

• The middle class grew rapidly and played a key role in the new industrial society.

  • There was growing demand for skilled professionals as positions for managers, teachers and doctors.
• The new middle class included those who worked themselves up from a peasant background.

  • This was done through hard work, entrepreneurial skill and access to education.
  • They took their place alongside those from noble backgrounds who chose or were forced to enter the world of business and industry.
• In 1914, there were 28,000 doctors and 20,000 teachers.

  • These figures were growing but numbers remained small.
• The middle class organised themselves with the creation of professional associations and scientific societies as well as on the councils of state, town dumas and the zemstvo.

  • They were a small but powerful group.