Question

How does the British historian Figes connect the weather of 1890-1891 to the decline of the Russian empire in the 20th century?

Answer 1

Answer:

The weather in 1890-1891 led to the Great Famine of 1891; the czarist government’s reaction damaged the people’s trust in and loyalty to the imperial monarchy.

Explanation:

Orlando Figes in the 2014 book: "Revolutionary Russia" pointed at the the famine of 1890-1891 as the beginning of the eventual revolution against the Imperial Czar family. According to Figes, the famine of 1890-1891 was so sever that crops froze without germination, farm animals died on the roadside in the winter, and the summer came with blowing dusts. The Czar, who was already despised by his subjects, first responded authoritatively by ordering the press to not call the event a "famine." The monarchy brought in food and relief materials that the peasant considered unappealing, and the manner in which it was distributed only aggravated their pain. At this stage, the people had lost trust and loyalty in their monarchy, and the resentment only grew over the years.