Structural and historical theories of peasant rebellions are evaluated against large-scale rebellions which occurred throughout the Russian Empire in 1905-07. The analysis corroborates the propositions of historical theory. Peasants rebel because of threats to their access to an economic subsistence. (Author/AM)

Contrary to Marxist theory, commitments to traditional cultural values and immediate communal relations are crucial to many radical movements. Radical mobilization occurs when people have something to defend, have some social strength, and confront social transformations which threaten to take everything from them. (Author/KC)