Russia retained serfdom until 1848, being a former surf defined the lives of individuals until 1917. Masses of Russia was predominantly agricultural, although, industry had grown such that in the later half of 9th century making Russia 5th largest industrial power by 1917. growth in coal, pig iron as well as 25,000 factories employing 3 million workers. St Petersburg and Moscow saw huge growth, the latter going from 1 million in 1900 to 2.4 million in 1916.