Economic and social developments 1962-92

Question 1

When was Mikhail von Reutern Finance Minister?

Answer 1

1862-78

Question 2

What were von Reutern’s economic policies

Answer 2

Abolished tax farming
Reformed treasury
Credit facilities now available as banks est.
Govt. subsidies offered to private railway services
Tariffs on trade lowered

Question 3

Successes of von Reutern’s economic policies

Answer 3

Trade treaties encouraged enterprise
Railways increased
Annual growth rate of 6%
Oil extraction began in Caspian Sea

Question 4

Weaknesses of von Reutern’s economic policies

Answer 4

Economy still weak
1/3 all govt. expenditure went to paying debts
Rouble unstable
Limitations of emancipation kept peasantry small

Question 5

When was Vyshnegradsky minister of finance

Answer 5

1887-92

Question 6

What were Vyshnegradsky’s economic policies

Answer 6

Raised tariffs 
Put 30% impart tariff on raw materials to boost home production 
Took loans form France 
Increased indirect taxes
Tried to swell grain exports

Question 7

Successes of Vyshnegradsky’s economic policies

Answer 7

‘81-‘91 grain exports ^ 18%

By ‘92 R budget in surplus

Question 8

Weaknesses of Vyshnegradsky’s economic policies

Answer 8

Achieved at expense of peasants who paid high taxes + had grain requisitioned
Many left w/out food stores for winter
Led to famine

Question 9

Great Famine

Answer 9

‘91 -‘92 affected 17/39 provinces
Early winter, long hot summer leading to poor harvests and V’s policies
Ppl weak so caught diseases
350,000 died, govt. failed to organise relief, left to volunteers to help

Question 10

When was Sergei Witte Finance Minister?

Answer 10

1892-1903