well the peasants took up 80% of Russias popultion the government had to keep them happy because if the peasants turned around and wanted to start a revolution the current government would be thrown out
e.g. The Bolsheviks did not like da way Tsar Nick was running Russia so they killed him and his entire family.
Peasants were paid poorly and Stalin began 3 5 yr plans where the food was rationed, farms were seized by the gov. which then became collective farms the peasants didn't like it so they began an uprising/resistance and then started to slaughter cattle and withheld meat and grains and farm products from the gov. Kulaks (richer peasants) controlled countryside. Due to the stupidity of the peasants they paid for it in the long run, Russia was an economic rut after that.
Every time there are revolutions or the slightest hint of a staged coup or an uprising peasants turn around and do the stupidest things like burning down factories, breaking into peoples businesses, they're a sad class of people.
I hope dat helps.