How important was backwardness of agriculture in contributing to weakness in the Russian economy in the years 1881 to 1914? [24 marks]

How important was backwardness of agriculture in contributing to weakness in the Russian economy in the years 1881 to 1914? [24 marks]

1. Land was unproductive

   • Droughts
   • Extremes of temperatures
   • Lack of fertilisers and machinery
   • Low and unpredictable yields

2. Population growth

   • More pressure on land holdings
     • Reduction in size

3. Government attention needed.

   • Agriculture neglected in favour of industry
     • Except as source of exports
       • Bring in money
         • Pay for imports and government spending
     • Progressed at a slower pace

4. Grain exports

   • Food only just kept pace with population
     • Increase in exports - less food
       • Famine

5. Peasant Discontent

   • Despite concessions
     • Cancelling of redemption payments
     • Separate land from commune
   • Stolypin wanted class of well-off, loyal peasants
   • By 1915, only 22% households had individual ownership.

6. Land Captains enforced payment of debts

   • Sometimes Violent