In tsarist Russia, the wealthy 1% of the population was called the nobility. This class was made up of wealthy landowners, often trained in the military. They had power over the serfs and much of society, but were still subject to the rule of the tsar. They were very wealthy and had control of large estates with many serfs working for them. They had little duties and a lot of leisure time. Their children were educated and could attend the best of schools. However, while they lived their pleasant lives, trouble was brewing throughout Europe. After the humiliating loss in the Russo-Japanese War, the tsar lost much support at home. Then, Russia entered World War I and was not prepared economically or militarily. Eventually, the monarchy collapsed and a provisional government was set up. This was eventually overtaken by the Bolsheviks and Russia became the Soviet Union, under Vladimir Lenin. This meant the end of the noble prosperity in Russia and the beginning of the rule of the workers.
