Economic and social developments under Alexander 2&3 Flashcards
what years did Mikhail von Reuteuern serve as finance minister?
1862- 1878
What economic reforms were introduced under Von reutuern?
- Tax farming was abolished -> slightly improved peasant prospects
- Created a banking system –> stimulate economic growth, (peasants could save)
- encouraged Foreign investment with the promise of annual dividends.
- -> To boost domestic industry
What were the negatives of Von reutuerns economic refroms?
-Transport and labour Mobility (due to emancipation)? was still limited.
=> Goods couldn’t travel round the country quickly
-The Russian Rouble was very unstable
Why was industrialisation driven largely by the state?
-Absence of an entrepreneurial middle class
What were the negatives with state promoted industrial growth?( State promoted growth started at the same time under Von Reutern)
- Import duties were reduced (promote import)
- -> At the expense of domestic industry
- increase in indirect taxation crippled peasantry
- > hampered development of consumer goods.Knock on effect also hampered development of middle class
When did Vsyshengradsky serve as finance minister?
1887-1892
What were Vsyshenagradsky’s economic policies?
- Import Tariffs (30%) => Boost domestic production
- Increase grain exports by forcing peasants to sell grain to state.
- Loans from abroad
What were the effects of Vsyshenagradsky’s economic policies?
- Grain exports increased (by 18%) 1881-1891
- peasants suffered from heavy taxation
- Famine( 1891-92) => killed 350,000 people. Not helped by grain req.
What developments were there to Agriculture?
-Change in agricultural practices- since peasants had too little land to be productive.
-New class of enterprising peasants (Kulaks) - buy and sell land.Also employed poorer peasants to work land. => Scales of farming. Allowed for new machinery
How did the role of Landowners change?
-many sold land to pay debts
-1/3 of all land nobles moved into the cities
=>Many converted to industrial means of business.=>Stimulating economy
(Effect of emancipation?)
How did the Middle classes develop?
Middle class was growing (due to industrialisation)+ increase in professionals. (Due to more educational opportunities)
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How did the urban workforce develop?
- 1875: urban workforce still only 2%
- Grew and 20% women by 1885
- Working conditions and pay were shocking.3/4 wages spent on food.
How did legislation develop?
- 1885: Night time employment of women and children was banned
- 1886: Contracts for workers
- 1892: banned under 21 and women from mines