Following the unexpected death of his father Alexander III in 1894, Nicholas II acceded to the Russian imperial throne in 1894. Study the information from Corin p.12-14 and make a note of his strengths and weaknesses as leader. Was the Tsarina a help or a

hindrance?

starter activity Extension: use further evidence

from Figes, ‘A People’s Tragedy’, p.18-21

How modern really How modern really was Russia? was Russia?

TBAT evaluate the successes & failures TBAT evaluate the successes & failures of emancipationof emancipation

TBAT explain & evaluate the success of TBAT explain & evaluate the success of the Witte Systemthe Witte System

LOs

Key words: ukase emancipation tariffs

Read p.19-20 on ‘The impact of emancipation’ and make a list of the successes & problems of emancipation.

Extension: Think of a speech bubble that summarises the views of the peasant in the picture in 50 words. Don’t be rude, the Okhrana may come after you!

Successes

80% of population serfs emancipated Land & property ownership for serfs Potential to modernise farming

techniques

Problems

Redemption payments Repayment over 49 years Village communes controlled serfs Village elders redistributed land & gave

permission to leave village Population growth – doubling to 130m (1861-

1914) Subsistence farming continued Indebted landowners used government money

for agricultural improvement to pay off loans

Recognise this man? Clue: look

at the number on the door. Is he the right man for the

job?

Was this the right man for the job?

Read about Sergei Witte, Russian

Finance Minister and find reasons

why he was a good choice. Can you

predict any problems his policies might

cause?

Your taskYour task How successful were attempts to modernise How successful were attempts to modernise

Russia. Complete a chart similar to the one Russia. Complete a chart similar to the one below. Use Murphy p.20-21 to do this.below. Use Murphy p.20-21 to do this.

Extension: Supplement your notes with Oxley, Extension: Supplement your notes with Oxley, p.46-9. Study Source 11 on p.48. How useful is p.46-9. Study Source 11 on p.48. How useful is this source in understanding the conditions of this source in understanding the conditions of workers at the time?workers at the time?

Reforms introduced Reforms introduced by Witteby Witte

Impact of Witte’s Impact of Witte’s reformsreforms

Witte’s reformsWitte’s reforms Overseas loans and investmentsOverseas loans and investments High domestic taxes interest rates to raise High domestic taxes interest rates to raise

capitalcapital Limited import of foreign goods (to stop Russian Limited import of foreign goods (to stop Russian

money going abroad)money going abroad) Value of rouble linked to value of gold to keep it Value of rouble linked to value of gold to keep it

highhigh Expansion of railway system, e.g. Trans-Siberian Expansion of railway system, e.g. Trans-Siberian

Railway (opened 1902)Railway (opened 1902) Improving balance of trade (e.g. 1901-10, Russia Improving balance of trade (e.g. 1901-10, Russia

exporting 186m. roubles more than importing)exporting 186m. roubles more than importing) Increasing industrial output, e.g. coal, iron, grainIncreasing industrial output, e.g. coal, iron, grain

How could a railway transform Russia?

ProblemsProblems Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon

– not just work of Witte & ‘Great Spurt’– not just work of Witte & ‘Great Spurt’ Too dependent on foreign investmentToo dependent on foreign investment Light industry underinvested & agriculture Light industry underinvested & agriculture

ignoredignored Military requirements & conservatism Military requirements & conservatism

impeded progressimpeded progress Overcrowding in citiesOvercrowding in cities UnemploymentUnemployment Poor working conditions caused industrial Poor working conditions caused industrial

unrestunrest High inflation (1908-1914, 40%)High inflation (1908-1914, 40%)

Imagine we could hold a press conference with Sergei Witte and his team on his achievements with regard to the Russian economy. Interview a member of the class.

PlenaryPlenary What were the successes & failures What were the successes & failures

of emancipationof emancipation What were the successes of the What were the successes of the

Witte SystemWitte System On balance were Witte’s reforms a On balance were Witte’s reforms a

success or failure for Russia?success or failure for Russia? Was Witte right to resign?Was Witte right to resign?

Witte

?

HomeworkHomework ““How far do you agree that Sergei How far do you agree that Sergei

Witte’s policies were successful in Witte’s policies were successful in modernising the Russian economy in the modernising the Russian economy in the period 1892-1904?”period 1892-1904?”

Extension. Use the weblinks on Extension. Use the weblinks on Studyhistory to research the life of Studyhistory to research the life of Sergei Witte and take notes on his Sergei Witte and take notes on his achievements (or failings) under these achievements (or failings) under these categories: early life, finance, foreign categories: early life, finance, foreign policy, governmentpolicy, government Sergei Witte

preparing for his timed essay!