Filling an important gap in a neglected area of Russian history, namely the 1880s and early 1890s, this volume, originally published in 1987, examines the labour movement from the perspective of the politicized workers themselves. It examines not only their attitudes toward student intellectuals but also toward the rank and file workers, as well as themselves. These attitudes are essential to understand the extent and the focus of the ?workers intelligentsia?s? political and cultural activities. The period the book focusses on was one of relative labour calm whilst at the same time being a period of rapid industrial development. St. Petersburg was chosen because it was the largest city and also the locale of Russia?s most technologically advanced industries.

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction: The Russian Labour Movement in St. Petersburg and the Development of the Workers? Elite as of 1889 2. Intellectual and Workers? Groups in St. Petersburg by 1890 3. The Membership of the Central Workers? Circle 4. The Organization and the Social and Cultural Activities of the Central Workers? Circle 5. The Political Activities of the Central Workers? Circle 6. The Rise and Fall of the Revived Central Workers? Circle, 1892-1894 7. Conclusions: The Role of the Central Workers? Circle in the Russian Labour Movement