In Russia, nobility made up 1 percent of the population. They controlled much of the land and wealth in Russia which gave them power. For example, since they all Russian citizens owed service to the government, they served as military officers or government officials instead of lower positions. For these services the nobility were payed land, money, and serfs. In 1861 they no longer recieved serfs because that was outlawed. Although nobility had local power, they held no politcal power. All the political power belonged to the tsar because Russia was an autocracy. The average noble family owned 1500 acres of land and 200 serfs which were essentially slaves. Since nobles had so much land and serfs wealth was easily acquired. However since the serfs were freed in 1861 many nobles were forced to sell land to the former serfs. With less land and having to pay for peasants to farm on it some nobles fell into deep debt. Those who didn't switched to more modern farming techniques or investing in Russian industries. In the nobles free time they enjoyed billiards, cards, musical instruments, tennis, hunting, fencing, gambling, and sleigh rides. They often sent their children to schools in which it was taught in French or German but not Russia. Nobles also had the great honor of attending the great ball. The only reason nobles would support a revolution would be too gain political power. A revolution however could also be not supported by nobles because they had great wealth and social standings. If there was a revolution to occur nationalism would have to be strong. Also realpoltik would play a role in the revolution. The nobles would be against the Bolshevik because they would not want a change in power because they were happy with their political and social standings. Also they would not want to have to make reparations to the lower classes.
