Economic Reforms under Witte

Question 1

Why did Witte want to modernise Russia?

Answer 1

Russias military strength depended on her ability to produce more weapons = depended on developed industries

Question 2

What were his Economic reforms called?

Answer 2

‘The Great Spurt”

Question 3

What did he believe?

Answer 3

State should provide means for economic modernisation, transport markets

Question 4

What did Witte believe there should be a mixture of?

Answer 4

A mixture of private enterprise and state direction, private businessman can develop sectors that state had identified as priorities

Question 5

Wit’s State Capitalism

Answer 5

• economy directed by gov ( Decided which industires to be developed where)
• Russia need loans from abroad, Large from France
• Industries protected against cheap imports by high import duties = development of metal industry in St Petersburg and textile in Moscow

Question 6

Key Reforms of Witte?

Answer 6

• Stabilise Rouble - put currency on gold standard
• Developed Trans Siberian Railway (6000km from Moscow to Vladivostok):
• helped develop international grain exports
• Move troops around the country
• Focus on development of steel, iron,coal industries (Putilov Engineering Works built in St Petersburg)
• Raised indirect Taxes = increase gov revenue

Question 7

Cons of Key Reforms

Answer 7

• High Indirect Taxes = increase in poverty especially countryside
• No agricultural reforms = Production stagnates = Poverty and Famine in countryside