Alexander III economy

Question 1

overall opinion on Russian economic policy

Answer 1

although economy had diversified it’s foundations remained the same - heavy reliance on foreign capital to mask foundational issues

Question 2

what was industrialisation required for?

Answer 2

boost wealth creation + establish Russia as a military + economic power

Question 3

examples of railways built

Answer 3

Batum Baku + Trans-Siberian

Question 4

what would railways do ?

Answer 4

increase flow of goods + rural to urban migration

Question 5

stats for railways

Answer 5

trans Siberian 9600km

Question 6

however reality of the effect of railways

Answer 6

1904 Trans Siberian railway incomplete - migration to inner cities offset by migration to steppes of Siberia - increase agricultural workforce

Question 7

what did Witte hope foreign loans would do ?

Answer 7

maximise industrial growth by providing factories + industrial growth

Question 8

reality of foreign loans

Answer 8

unsustainable despite boost in industry 1890 international trade slump dried up foreign loans exposing cash flow problem

Question 9

reality of foreign loans

Answer 9

unsustainable despite boost in industry 1890 international trade slump dried up foreign loans exposing cash flow problem

Question 10

evidence of factory growth via foreign loans

Answer 10

1887 - 1908 factory workers doubled to 2.6 million

Question 11

stats on coal production

Answer 11

3.2 million metric tonnes 1880 –> 25.4 metric tones

Question 12

how did witte tackle international trade slump

Answer 12

capitalise on position as prime wheat exporter to ‘plug shortfall’ = back to agriculture no new economic model

Question 13

however how did Witte lay foundational basis for manufacture coal industry success etc

Answer 13

rouble on gold standard - average annual growth rate = 8% w/ new confidence in currency

Question 14

by 1904 russia position

Answer 14

4th largest economy + trade grew 2 fold

Question 15

however 1904 position of agriculture suggesting success was a facade on foreign capital

Answer 15

made up 50% economy

Question 16

stats on growth foreign investment

Answer 16

1880 - 98 million
1900 - 911 million

Question 17

russia urban population stats growth

Answer 17

7 - 28 million by 1917

Question 18

1917 what % household no running water

Answer 18

40%

Question 19

evidence of industrialisation beginning in Alexander II

Answer 19

Hughes ( welsh w/ English shareholders) 1868 builds steel workers called Hughesovka)

Question 20

what did witte view railways as

Answer 20

agents of civilisation + progress

Question 21

fraction of capital in Russian joint stock companies from foreign investors

Answer 21

1/3

Question 22

when was gold standard introduced

Answer 22

1897

Question 23

when was the international recession

Answer 23

1899

Question 24

how did Vyshnegradsky’s famine occur?

Answer 24

-raise taxes consumer goods
-peasants sell more grain = no reserves
-censorship = no news = no aid
-export too much grain

Question 25

Witte’s effect on peasants

Answer 25

increase taxes on everyday items = sell more grain therefore no surplus