6.1 Economic change 1855-1894

Question 1

When was Mikhail von Reutern Minister of Finance?

Answer 1

1862-1878

Question 2

When was Vyshnegradsky Minister of Finance?

Answer 2

1887-1892

Question 3

When was Witte Minister of Communications / Finance?

Answer 3

1892 appointed Minister of Communications ans Minister of Finance until 1903

Question 4

What did Mikhail von Reutern do as Minister of Finance 1862-1878?

Answer 4

• Treasure reform (how taxes were collected)
• Banks introduced state 1860, municipal 1862, savings 1869
• Foreign investment was encouraged with a guaranteed annual dividend
• Promoted the Government support in development in cotton (taking advantage of American Civil War) and mining

Question 5

What did Mikhail von Reutern believe 1862-1878?

Answer 5

Von Reutern was of the landowning class and believed that state money and control should direct economic changes

• more modern approach with government intervention

Question 6

What was the impact of Mikhail von Reutern as Minister of Finance 1862-1878?

Answer 6

✓ Average annual growth of 6% whilst von Reutern was in charge

• The Russian economy was still weak despite developments

– 1/3 of government spending was on debt

– large fluctuations / volatility in the value of the Ruble

– Peasants were still poor

– Reduction in tariffs meant that government revenues were low

Question 7

What did Vyshnegradsky do as Minister of Finance 1887-1892?

Answer 7

• Raised tariffs to 30% of the value of the raw good to boost home production
• Secured loans from France in 1888 which appeared successful

Question 8

What did Vyshnegradsky believe 1887-1892?

Answer 8

Vyshnegradsky wanted to balance the budget

Question 9

What was the impact of Vyshnegradsky as Minister of Finance 1887-1892?

Answer 9

✓ Grain exports were up 18%

✓ 1891 there was a balance surplus

x - Peasants paid taxes and grain was requisitioned - which left no stores for the winter

= led to the great famine

Question 10

Who was Vyshnegradsky?

Answer 10

• Started as a priest but accumulated wealth through investments.
• 1884 member of Council of Ministers creating technical education program

Question 11

What was Vyshnegradsky famous for saying?

Answer 11

‘We ourselves shall not eat, but we shall export’

Question 12

What was the Great Famine and how did the government react?

Answer 12

1891-92

• Caused by harsh requisitioning which left no stores for the winter
• Affected 17 / 39 provinces and 350,000 died
• The government failed to provide adequate support, and this fueled demands for reform and change

Question 13

What did Witte do as Minister of Finance 1892-1903?

Answer 13

✓ Sought additional loans from abroad going to mining, oil and banking

1880 – 98m roubles > 1895 – 280m roubles

✓ By 1897 Russia was the world’s 4th largest industrial economy

• Railway from St. Petersburg to Moscow line set up in 1851 and by the Mid 1890’s 60% of the railway system was state owned

Question 14

What did Witte believe 1892-1903?

Answer 14

Witte thought that the only way forward was through protective tariffs and heavy taxation

Question 15

What did Witte do apart from Minister of Finance?

Answer 15

Minister and author of October Manifesto 1905

• First Prime Minister (only 6 months) opposing entry to WW1 on economic grounds

Question 16

Despite the attempts of the Minister’s of Finance what was the state of agriculture?

Answer 16

There was little change in Agriculture in fact productivity decreased and peasants had less land to work on.

Question 17

What did Engelgardt (radical writer in 1870’s) state upon the state of agriculture at his time?

Answer 17

Agriculture ‘carries on as it was before’

Question 18

Who said agriculture ‘carries on as it was before’ ?

Answer 18

Engelgardt radical writer in 1870’s

Question 19

What were potato yields in comparison with Europe?

Answer 19

Grain in puds per desintin = Russia 45 - Uk and Germany 146

Question 20

What did the Kulak class respond well to in the 1870’s and 80’s?

Answer 20

There was an increase in agriculture in 1870’s and 80’s as the Kulak class responded well to Vyshnegradsky’s export drive