How significant were the problems Facing NII in 1894 Flashcards
What categories of Problems did Nicholas face?
- Political
- Economic
- Social
What was Nicholas’ political priority?
To preserve Autocracy: reiterated throughout his reign eg - coronation and opening of the state Duma
What were the increased pressures of the modern-day on the Russian state?
Rapid industrialisation and Urbanisation placed strain on an out dated government
What new roles of Government were required compared to in the past?
Interventionalism - they had to manage economy; direct industry; provide social services
What dichotomy was the main issue for Nicholas?
How does he balance his need for Autocracy with the reformation of the Russian state
The establishment of what department in 1894 proved that Nicholas at least tried to institute reform?
Department of Agriculture
Why had opposition grown in the prior few decades?
The tyrannical rule of Alexander III
What were some of the repressive measures of Alexander III?
- Centralised police control
- Land captains appointed to reduce the power of the Zemstava
- Increase in censorship
What were states in the empire demanding at the time?
Autonomy
Liberalism
What was the industrial growth rate up to 1894?
8%
Was there much free enterprise at the time?
No, the state-controlled armaments and much heavy industry
Did Westerners or Slavophiles want laisse faire economics?
The Westerners
What was the industrial focus?
heavy industry instead of cottage industry which would have provided an economic back bone
Did Nicholas continue the policies of his predecessor?
Yes
What percent of the population were peasants?
80%
What was established to lend finances to peasants to buy land?
Land banks
What communal construct was a barrier to modernisation?
The mir
Why did the Peasants want a repartition of land?
The rich had been given the best parts resulting in poor conditions and non arable land for themselves
What was the size of the industrial work force in the 1890s vs the 1910s
1.4 mill vs 2.9 mill
What had urbanisation led to in regards to living conditions?
Squaller and a lack of sanitation, outbreaks of cholera were frequent
Why was there inconsistency from the government towards labouring classes?
Internal affairs took an aggressive stance towards them as they didn’t want to grant any power yet needed them for industrialisation
What did the overlap of issues have on the security of autocracy?
Placed it in a precarious situation
