The impact of Witte's policies on Russia, 1892-1903 Flashcards
1
Q
What was the aim of Sergei Witte?
A
to strengthen Russia economically and maintain Russia’s position as a great power
2
Q
What were the main problems Russia suffered from in the late 19th century?
A
- lack of foreign investment to develop Russia’s economy
- business class was too small
- Russia needed more peasants to move to cities to work in the factories
3
Q
What policies were implemented by Witte to modernise the Russian economy?
A
- Government became more active in developing economy
- Greater emphasis on coal, iron and steel production
- loans obtained from countries e.g. France
- Taxes on peasants increased to fund industrialisation
- trans-siberian railway built to exploit Siberia economically
- in 1897 Witte introduced laws to restrict working hours to 11.5 a day
4
Q
What were the successes of Witte’s policies?
A
- Coal and Iron production increased in 1890’s by 8% year
- 1897-1900 Russia recieved 144m roubles of Foreign investment
- 1903 Trans-Siberian Railway almost completed - Railway building expanded
- Large factories emerged in important cities e.g. Petrograd, Moscow
- Cities grew rapidly- Petrograds population doubled from 1890-1914
- Resources in Siberia increasingly exploited
- Economic modernisation
5
Q
How was Economic Modernisation useful?
A
Allowed Russia to equip forces with more sophisticated weaponry, and compete as world power
6
Q
What were the failures of Witte’s policies?
A
- terrible living conditions for working class in cities
- Political opposition to Tsarist System grew
- Strikes more common in cities
- Peasant Anger increased as a result of increased taxes
- Witte’s reforms were not enough to overtake other world powers e.g. Germany
- 1913 - industry only contributed to 20% of national income, only 18% Russians lived in towns
- Russia in massive debt - owed 8bn roubles
- Russian political system did not modernise
- Educational opportunities remained limited
