Cultural Changes

• Culturally, Russia in 1914 might have appeared like little had changed. The fundamental patriarchal structure of Russian society, based on family ties, was still in place
• Nevertheless, economic and political developments had led to cultural change
• New opportunities for women, e.g. for education, or for independence through factory work
• Improvements in education had reduced illiteracy
• Books and publications increased; many writers and artists addressed problems in Russian society through their works
• Censorship was relaxed from 1905, producing the ‘silver age’ of culture
• However, some aspects of Russian culture remained unchanged. The Orthodox churchcontinued to influence both government and community
• There was an outpouring of patriotism and support for the Tsar when war broke out in 1914 and all social groups rallied to defend the Russian Motherland.
• The year 1913 was the tercentenary year of the Romanov dynasty, and Nicholas andAlexandra revelled in the traditional jubilee rituals organised to celebrate the permanency of the Romanovs