Chapter 6

Question 1

Why was the development of the economy under Vyshnegradsky and von Reutern almost entirely state-led

Answer 1

There was still an absence of a middle class

Question 2

Dominant industry under Alexander II + von Reutern

Answer 2

Textiles

Question 3

Annual growth rate under Alexander II + von Reutern

Answer 3

6% per annum

Question 4

Heavy industry developments under Alexander II and von Reutern

Answer 4

• Baku for oil 1871
• Dontesk reigon for iron in 1872

Question 5

Major limitations to the economy under von Reutern and Alexander II

Answer 5

• 66% of Government Revenue came from indirect taxation
• Rouble subject to wild fluctuations in value
• 1/3 government expenditure went to repayment of debts

Question 6

Positives of Vyshnegradsky’s economic policies with Alexander III

Answer 6

• Coal, pig-rion and crude oil production significantly boosted
• Key loans negotiated with the French in 1885

Question 7

What was the great economic faliure of Vyshnegradsky

Answer 7

Between 1881-91 grain exports increased by 18% leading to the Great Famine

Question 8

Impact on people of the Great Famine

Answer 8

• 17 of the 39 provinces affected
• Cholera and typhoid push death toll over 350,000

Question 9

Railway increase under von Reutern and Alexander II

Answer 9

From 3,000 to 13,270km between 1866-81

Question 10

Key belief of Witte

Answer 10

Economic moderinsation would lead to curbing revolutionary activity

Question 11

Positive economic growth under Witte and Alexander III

Answer 11

• Continued to increase foreign loans and expertise from France, Britain and Sweden
• By 1897, Russia have 4th largest industrial economy

Question 12

Limitations to economic growth under Witte

Answer 12

• Bulk of export trade in grain rather than industrial goods
• Even so, grain production still over 3x less than Britain and Germany

Question 13

Who creditied for overall increase in agricultural production in the 1870-80s

Answer 13

Kulaks

Question 14

Class structure change under Alexander III and Alexander III

Answer 14

Many serf-owners retained much of their wealth, meaning society was kept highly stratified

Question 15

Significance of growth of middle class under Alexander II and Alexander III

Answer 15

• Did see rapid growth
• Numbers added up to no more than half a million by 1897 census

Question 16

Evidence to show how rapid urbanisation still didn’t affect much of society, despite being highly impactful for those it did affect

Answer 16

• Urban working class formed no more than 2% by 1897 census
• Workers often returned home to their towns during harvest
• Yet, by 1864, 1/3 inhabitants in St Petersburg were peasants by birth, and this continued to rise

Question 17

Why were the poor working conditions in the cities under Alexander II and Alexander III worth it for workers

Answer 17

Regular hours and opportunity were greatly valued

Question 18

Evidence to show that for many in the countryside, by the end of Alexander III’s reign, life was still incredibly tough

Answer 18

• In the 1880’s two out of three former serfs in the Tambov reigon were unable to feed thier famalies without falling into debt
• Many turned down as ‘unfit’ for military service

Question 19

Mortality rates in Russia at end of Alexander III’s reign vs Britain

Answer 19

• 27 for males
• 29 for females
• 45 in Britain

Question 20

Evidence to show how important the Church was still by the end of Alexander III’s reign

Answer 20

70% of the population subscribed to Orthodoxy

Question 21

What was essential to keeping control throughout the reigns of Alexander II and Alexander III

Answer 21

The Church continued to dominate over the ill-educated and superstitious peasantry

Question 22

Evidence to show how the Church and government were still closely intertwined by the end of Alexander III’s reign

Answer 22

Priests were encouraged to pass on statements given in confession to the authorities