Chapter 6 Flashcards
Economic and social developments
Who was Alexander II’s Minister of Finance from 1862-78?
Mikhail von Reutern
What reforms did von Reutern introduce about taxation?
New arrangements for collecting taxes and publishing the budget reformed the Treasury and tax farming was abolished
What new form of company did von Reuten introduce?
Joint-stock company
What reforms did von Reutern introduce in terms of banks and subsidies?
Banks and credit facilities were extended, with state banks being introduced in 1860 and saving banks in 1869. Government subsidies were introduced to develop railways
What did von Reutern’s reforms encourage to boost the economy?
Opportunities under government subsidies encouraged entreprise and foreign technical expertise supported capital expansion
What was the average growth rate during von Reutern’s term in office?
6%
What industry remained dominant in spite of new emerging industries?
Textiles
What major industries were introduced in 1871 and 1872 respectively and where?
Oil extraction and ironworks, which were introduced in the Caspian Sea Port of Baku and Donetsk
What extraction was introduced in1879 to exploit coal and oil further?
The Naphtha Extraction
What percentage of government revenue came from indirect taxation after the Emancipation Edict?
66%
What was Vyshnegradsky’s impact on tariff reform?
He introduced a prohibitive import tariff of 30% which boosted home production and helped the iron industry in Southern Russia
What was the result of Vyshnegradsky moving to swell grain?
From 1881 and 1891, grain exports increased by 18%, leading to a surplus for the first time in 1892
Which serious economic event destroyed Vyshnegradsky’s politcal career?
The Great Famine 1891-92
What did Witte believe would modernise Russia’s economy?
Protective tariffs, heavy taxation, forced exports to generate capital and additional loans from foreign investors
Which countries helped Witte in the development of the railway network?
France, Belgium, Germany, Britain and Sweden
By the mid-1890s, how much of the Russian railway network was owned by the state?
60%
What factors hampered agriculture change?
High taxes, grain requisition, redemption payments and traditional farming practices in the mirs
What legislation was introduced to facilitate land purchases?
The Nobles’ (1882) and Peasant (1885) Land Banks
What was the impact of industrialisation on Russia’s class system?
Industrialisation saw the beginnings of an emergent new middle class and urban working class
What proportion of university professors were from hereditary nobles by 1880?
1/5
What was the impact of industrialisation on the nobles’ status and employment?
By 1882, 700 nobles owned their own business while nearly 2500 were employed in commerce, transport or industry
What was the impact of industrialisation on the emergent middle class?
Bankers, doctors, teachers and administrators were in greater demand but made up no more than half a million in 1897
By 1864, how many peasants in Petersburg were peasants by birth?
1/3
What kind of welfare reforms were introduced from 1882-90?
Regulation of child labour, a reduction in working hours, a reduction in excessive fines and payment in kind and the appointment of living inspectors
How many strikes were there per year between 1886-94?
33 strikes per year
How had the position of the kulaks changed following industrialisation?
Kulaks bought up land and often acted as pawn brokers to other poorer peasants, selling previous goods at inflated prices
How much were the poorest peasants struggling under industrialisation?
Two out of every three former serfs in the Tambov region were unable to feed their household without falling into debt
What was the average lifespan for people in Russia?
27 years for men, and 29 years for women - compared to the average age of 45 in England
In what ways was religious observance a means of control in Russia?
Priests had close ties to the village as well as the State, such as reading manifestos and decrees, as well as records of marriages and deaths. They also rooted out opposition and informed the police of suspicious activity
How did the Church benefit from their strict censorship?
They judged social and moral crimes and could award punishments, such as time in the monastery, to those found guilty
How many people were converted throughout the entire period of Russification?
8500 Muslims, 50,000 Pagans, and around 40,000 Catholics and Lutherans in the Polish and Baltic provinces
