1. Economic Growth in Tsarist Russia
Lesson Focus
The ‘Great Spurt’
State Capitalism
Railways
Witte’s problems
The end of the ‘Great Spurt’
How strong was the Russian economy by 1914?

2. The ‘Great Spurt’ Rapid growth of industry in the 1890’s
Coal in the Ukraine, oil in the Caucasus
Private enterprise, encouraged by government policy
Military motive of the Tsarist government?

3. Witte and State Capitalism
Witte encouraged foreign investment and workers to come to Russia.
State capitalism was difficult as Russia was backwards compared to GB, Fr, Germany.
Russia must not remain the ‘handmaiden’ of western countries.
Witte wanted to gain CAPITAL for investment in industry.
Loans from abroad/High taxes and interest rates at home – GET THE MONEY IN, STOP IT GOING OUT
Tariffs and the gold standard; financial stability, but higher prices domestically.

4. The Railways Target for investment –size of country
Movement of goods and people
Increase in lines and rolling stock (page 14)
Trans Siberian railway (1891 – 1902)
Difficulties – incompletion, reluctance, unaffordable for most.
Symbolic rather than practical

6. Problems Playing catch up
Per capita production low due to expanding population
Dependency on foreign loans and investments
Light manufacturing neglected – no real basis for heavy industry to keep expanding
No attention to agriculture
Demands of the military
Resistance to change
Government obsession with military
Witte never trusted – secretive, obsessive, moody

7. The end of the ‘Great Spurt’
End of a worldwide boom
Large population could not be supported
Lack of organisation and infrastructure
Overcrowding
Unemployment
Homelessness
Serious social unrest
Exploited by political groups

8. Witte’s successes? Use precise data to back up your points.
Text readings pgs
Were Witte’s policies successful within Russia?
Were Witte’s policies useful in helping Russia to catch up with the other Great Powers?
Worksheets: Industrial Development Under Nicholas II: Sergei Witte
Source work 1: Economic Effects of Industrialization
Use precise data to back up your points.
Use the P.E.E. at all times in all answers.

9. Was Sergei Witte a success?
Summary
Was Sergei Witte a success?