Following the unexpected death of his father Alexander III in 1894, Nicholas II acceded to the Russian imperial throne in Study the information from Corin p 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 was Russia? TBAT evaluate the successes & failures of emancipation TBAT explain & evaluate the success of the Witte System  LOs  Key words: ukase emancipation tariffs

Read p 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 ( ) 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 task How successful were attempts to modernise Russia. Complete a chart similar to the one below. Use Murphy p to do this. How successful were attempts to modernise Russia. Complete a chart similar to the one below. Use Murphy p to do this.  Extension: Supplement your notes with Oxley, p Study Source 11 on p.48. How useful is this source in understanding the conditions of workers at the time?  Extension: Supplement your notes with Oxley, p Study Source 11 on p.48. How useful is this source in understanding the conditions of workers at the time? Reforms introduced by Witte Impact of Witte’s reforms

Witte’s reforms Overseas loans and investments Overseas loans and investments High domestic taxes interest rates to raise capital High domestic taxes interest rates to raise capital Limited import of foreign goods (to stop Russian money going abroad) Limited import of foreign goods (to stop Russian money going abroad) Value of rouble linked to value of gold to keep it high Value of rouble linked to value of gold to keep it high Expansion of railway system, e.g. Trans-Siberian Railway (opened 1902) Expansion of railway system, e.g. Trans-Siberian Railway (opened 1902) Improving balance of trade (e.g , Russia exporting 186m. roubles more than importing) Improving balance of trade (e.g , Russia exporting 186m. roubles more than importing) Increasing industrial output, e.g. coal, iron, grain Increasing industrial output, e.g. coal, iron, grain

How could a railway transform Russia? 

Problems Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon – not just work of Witte & ‘Great Spurt’ Industrial expansion was a global phenomenon – not just work of Witte & ‘Great Spurt’ Too dependent on foreign investment Too dependent on foreign investment Light industry underinvested & agriculture ignored Light industry underinvested & agriculture ignored Military requirements & conservatism impeded progress Military requirements & conservatism impeded progress Overcrowding in cities Overcrowding in cities Unemployment Unemployment Poor working conditions caused industrial unrest Poor working conditions caused industrial unrest High inflation ( , 40%) High inflation ( , 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.

Plenary Plenary What were the successes & failures of emancipation What were the successes & failures of emancipation What were the successes of the Witte System What were the successes of the Witte System On balance were Witte’s reforms a success or failure for Russia? On balance were Witte’s reforms a success or failure for Russia?  Was Witte right to resign?  Was Witte right to resign? Witte ?

 Homework “How far do you agree that Sergei Witte’s policies were successful in modernising the Russian economy in the period ?” “How far do you agree that Sergei Witte’s policies were successful in modernising the Russian economy in the period ?”  Extension. Use the weblinks on Studyhistory to research the life of Sergei Witte and take notes on his achievements (or failings) under these categories: early life, finance, foreign policy, government  Extension. Use the weblinks on Studyhistory to research the life of Sergei Witte and take notes on his achievements (or failings) under these categories: early life, finance, foreign policy, government Sergei Witte preparing for his timed essay!