Section 1 - Chapter 6 Flashcards
Economic and Social Developments
What system was abolished under von Reutern’s reforms?
Tax-farming was abolished.
Tax-farming was replaced with a reformed tax system that included more indirect taxation.
What new financial institutions were established during von Reutern’s reforms?
A state bank in 1860, municipal banks in 1862, and a savings bank in 1869.
These institutions were aimed at extending banks and credit facilities.
What action was taken to promote trade during von Reutern’s reforms?
Import duties were reduced from 1863.
This reduction was part of efforts to stimulate trade.
What kind of support did the government provide to private entrepreneurs?
Government subsidies were offered to develop railways.
This aimed to enhance infrastructure and promote economic growth.
What legislation was introduced to stimulate investment?
New legislation regulated joint-stock companies.
This regulation aimed to create a more favorable environment for investments.
In which industries did the government offer support for development?
The cotton industry and mining in the Donets Coalfield.
These sectors were targeted for economic advancement.
What was the average annual growth rate during von Reutern’s reforms?
6%.
This growth rate indicates a period of economic improvement.
Where did oil extraction begin during this period?
In Baku.
Baku became a significant site for oil production.
What percentage of government expenditure went to debt repayment during von Reutern’s time in office?
One third.
This high percentage indicates the financial strain on the government.
Where did most of government revenue come from under von Reutern?
66% of government revenue came from indirect taxation.
This reliance on indirect taxation kept the peasantry poor and limited the domestic market.
What was introduced in 1887 when Ivan Vyshnegradsky came into office?
A prohibitive import tariff of 30% on raw materials
This tariff aimed to protect domestic industries.
Which country did Ivan Vyshnegradsky negotiate loans from in 1888?
France
These loans were critical for financing economic projects.
What type of taxes did Ivan Vyshnegradsky increase?
Indirect taxes
These taxes were aimed at raising government revenue.
By what percentage did grain exports increase between 1881 and 1891?
18%
This increase significantly impacted the domestic grain supply.
What major consequence did the grain exports under Vyshnegradsky lead to?
The Great Famine of 1891-1892
Over 350,000 people died from starvation or disease due to grain shortages.
What policies did Sergei Witte continue from his predecessor?
Protective tariffs and heavy taxation
These policies were designed to protect and fund industrial growth.
In which sectors did Sergei Witte place much investment?
- Mining
- Metal trades
- Oil
- Banking
These sectors were crucial for industrial development.
From which countries did Sergei Witte encourage the influx of engineers, managers, and workers?
- France
- Belgium
- Germany
- Britain
- Sweden
This collaboration was essential for overseeing industrial developments.
What significant infrastructure expanded greatly due to the help of foreign powers during Witte’s term?
Russia’s railway network
The expansion facilitated transportation and trade.
By what position did Russia rise in the league table of industrialised nations by 1897?
4th largest industrial economy
This ranking reflects significant industrial growth during Witte’s leadership.
What was the bulk of Russia’s exports during Witte’s tenure?
Grain
Grain continued to be a major export commodity, despite industrial growth.
What hindered the mobility of the labor force in Russia’s agriculture?
Serfs were bound to the Mir.
What was a significant barrier for serfs in transitioning to urban areas?
Serfs were illiterate and unable to trade and create growth in the economy.
Why didn’t serfs want to leave rural areas?
They relied on self-sufficiency and wages to buy food.
What was a consequence of peasants only producing enough food for themselves?
Limited surplus food.
What changes occurred in agriculture as a result of the Emancipation?
Quantity of ploughland reduced, cultivation process became less effective, meadows in poor condition.
What factors hampered agricultural changes after the Emancipation?
High taxes, grain requisitions, redemption payments, traditional farming practices.
What agricultural trend was observed in the 1870s?
Overall increase in agricultural production due to kulaks responding to Vyshnegradsky’s export drive.
Who were the kulaks?
Peasants who bought up land, often with loans from the Peasants’ Land Bank.
What happened to many of the poorest peasants after the Emancipation?
They became landless.
What percentage of the population were still peasants after the Emancipation?
80 to 90% of the population.
What farming process was still prevalent among peasants?
‘Strip farming,’ which was highly ineffective.
What was lacking in agriculture due to the absence of industrialization?
Mechanization.
What was the condition of many former serfs in the 1880s?
Many could not feed their households without incurring debt. It was estimated that 2/3 peasants in the Tambov region couldn’t feed their families.
What was the impact of poverty on the home market in the 1880s?
It reduced the size of the home market.
What was the position of the landed elite in the 1850s?
They had control over the serfs, held a high position in Russian society, and were very wealthy with significant power in their area.
What changes occurred to the personal landholdings of the landed elite?
Personal landholding of the landed elite declined; some sold land to pay off debts, and many abandoned farming for more rewarding enterprises.
What new occupations did some members of the landed elite pursue?
Teaching and business. Nearly 2500 nobles were employed in commerce.
What continuity existed among former serf-owners despite changes in their position?
Most former serf-owners retained much of their previous wealth and status and remained at the top of the highly stratified Russian society.
What was the status of the middle class in the 1850s?
The middle class was almost non-existent in the 1850s.
What factors contributed to the growth of the middle class?
Greater demand for bankers, doctors, and teachers; state loans to set up factories.
How many bankers, doctors, or teachers were recorded in the 1897 census?
No more than 1/2 a million.
What was the position of the urban working class in the 1850s?
Almost no urban working class existed as all peasants were tied to a landowner
What significant change occurred by 1864 regarding the inhabitants of St. Petersburg?
One in three inhabitants came from a peasantry background
What were the initial working conditions in the first factories?
Paid little and had long hours
What reforms were introduced to improve working conditions?
- Regulation of child labour
- Reduction in working hours
- Reduction of fines
What was the continuity regarding the urban elite during this period?
The urban elite remained small, no more than 2% of the population
What was the position of the peasantry in the 1850s?
In 1850 71% of the population had been serfs tied to a noble or state land. They were illiterate and lived in very poor conditions often struggling to feed themselves.
How was the peasant class divided?
- The peasantry was divided - kulaks at the tops and the poorest peasants landless at the bottom.
How did life remain the same for peasants in Russia?
- The health and fitness of the peasantry remained low with many being turned down for military service.
Life expectancy didn’t rise - about 27 year for a man and 29 for a woman.
