Economic and social developments under Alexander 2&3

Question 1

what years did Mikhail von Reuteuern serve as finance minister?

Answer 1

1862- 1878

Question 2

What economic reforms were introduced under Von reutuern?

Answer 2

• 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

Question 3

What were the negatives of Von reutuerns economic refroms?

Answer 3

-Transport and labour Mobility (due to emancipation)? was still limited.
=> Goods couldn’t travel round the country quickly

-The Russian Rouble was very unstable

Question 4

Why was industrialisation driven largely by the state?

Answer 4

-Absence of an entrepreneurial middle class

Question 5

What were the negatives with state promoted industrial growth?( State promoted growth started at the same time under Von Reutern)

Answer 5

• 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

Question 6

When did Vsyshengradsky serve as finance minister?

Answer 6

1887-1892

Question 7

What were Vsyshenagradsky’s economic policies?

Answer 7

• Import Tariffs (30%) => Boost domestic production
• Increase grain exports by forcing peasants to sell grain to state.
• Loans from abroad

Question 8

What were the effects of Vsyshenagradsky’s economic policies?

Answer 8

• Grain exports increased (by 18%) 1881-1891
• peasants suffered from heavy taxation
• Famine( 1891-92) => killed 350,000 people. Not helped by grain req.

Question 9

What developments were there to Agriculture?

Answer 9

-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

Question 10

How did the role of Landowners change?

Answer 10

-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?)

Question 11

How did the Middle classes develop?

Answer 11

Middle class was growing (due to industrialisation)+ increase in professionals. (Due to more educational opportunities)

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Question 12

How did the urban workforce develop?

Answer 12

• 1875: urban workforce still only 2%
• Grew and 20% women by 1885
• Working conditions and pay were shocking.3/4 wages spent on food.

Question 13

How did legislation develop?

Answer 13

• 1885: Night time employment of women and children was banned
• 1886: Contracts for workers
• 1892: banned under 21 and women from mines