Economy and society - Industry, Agriculture and freedoms

What improvement was made under the NEP regarding grain requisitioning?

Grain requisitioning stopped and peasants were able to sell surplus supplies.

What was the main purpose of Stalin's collectivisation policy?

To consolidate individual landholdings and labor into collective farms.

What was the outcome of the 1891 famine during Tsar Alexander III's rule?

Over 350,000 people died, and finance minister Vyshnegradskii was blamed and replaced.

What were some of the improvements made for workers under Tsar Nicholas II?

Introduced factory inspectors in 1882, established an 11-hour workday and banned Sunday work in 1896, and introduced a workers insurance scheme in 1903.

What was the purpose of Rabkrin under Lenin's rule?

To inspect and oversee working conditions for workers and peasants.

What significant policy change occurred in the 1930s regarding the average working day?

By 1939, due to the success of the first Five Year Plan, the average working day was reduced to 7 hours.

What was the effect of collectivisation on food production during the years of 1932-34?

Poor weather and forced grain requisitioning led to famine conditions; Stalin's policies exacerbated the situation.

What limitations existed for voting under the Tsars?

Elections were restricted based on property qualifications and only landowners and wealthier peasants had significant voting rights.

How did the Communists control political parties?

Only the Russian Communist Party was allowed to exist, with no real representation or opposition tolerated.

What approach did both Tsarist and Communist regimes take towards censorship?

Both controlled the press and media to suppress opposition and ensure the dominance of their respective narratives.

How did religion's status change under Communism compared to the Tsars?

The Communists imposed strict restrictions and repression on religious practices, while the Tsars maintained control through the Russian Orthodox Church.

What was the overall condition of living standards for workers under both Tsarist and Communist regimes?

Living standards remained low despite attempts at industrialization, with long working hours, low wages, and harsh penalties.

What were the goals of the Tsars in developing the economy of the Russian Empire?

To create a wealthier country focused on heavy industry, catch up with western powers, and increase military status.

What were Reutern reforms (1862-1878) focused on?

Encouraging foreign investment and expertise in the Russian Empire.

What significant railway was constructed during Alexander III's reign?

The Trans-Siberian railway.

What was the consequence of Vyshnegradski's policies in the 1891 famine?

His policies worsened the famine; he was removed from his position.

What was Witte's role during Nicholas II's reign?

He managed the 'great spurt' of industrial growth by increasing foreign investment and state control over heavy industry.

What economic system did Lenin implement during the Civil War?

War Communism, which involved nationalization and militarization of labor.

What was the purpose of the NEP (New Economic Policy)?

To allow some private ownership and promote consumerism and growth through foreign trade.

What central control measure did Stalin implement for agriculture?

Centralized control through the MTS, which managed grain distribution and payments.

What was the Virgin Lands campaign initiated by Khrushchev?

A program to cultivate uncultivated land in Kazakhstan to increase wheat production.

What key social change occurred due to population growth between 1858 and 1960?

A significant increase in the birth rate and a growing middle class due to economic improvements and urban migration.

How did the education system change under the Tsars?

Initial improvements included increased access to primary schools, but later restrictions by Alexander III limited education for lower classes.

What was a notable change in education under the Communists?

Compulsory schooling until age 12, and an increase in vocational training and adult literacy programs.

What were the living conditions for urban workers under the Tsars?

Overcrowded and unsanitary, with poor housing and sanitation, leading to diseases like cholera.

How did Stalin's policies affect urban living conditions?

Overcrowding returned, with many families living in one room and communal kitchens and bathrooms.

What was a significant agricultural reform under Nicholas II?

Stolypin's reforms encouraged consolidation of land into larger farms, leading to the rise of Kulaks.

What were the key agricultural changes during Stalin's collectivization?

Introduction of collectivized farms, with high rates of collectivization by 1937, but persecution of Kulaks.

What improvements did Khrushchev make to rural housing?

Doubling the housing stock and reducing communal living, improving morale and living standards.

What was the impact of World War II on housing in urban areas?

Over 25 million people became homeless due to invasion and bombings, with inadequate post-war rebuilding efforts.

What were some of the key changes in Russian society from 1855 to 1955?

There was a rapid increase in population, the number and population of towns, and changes in social and cultural structures.

What was the 'Great Spurt' in the context of Russian social change?

The 'Great Spurt' refers to a period of rapid industrialization and modernization that significantly altered Russian society.

How did the Russian Communist Party impact social structure?

The Communist Party theoretically promised socio-cultural change; however, it was dominated by a hierarchical elite, limiting real change.

What social issue arose from the continued drive for industrialization in Russia?

Famine became a significant issue due to increased pressure on existing housing and lower food production from fewer agricultural jobs.

What are some factors that threatened food security during periods of famine in Russia?

Monoculture, restrictive practices of the mir, severe weather, and poor government policies.

What did the shift from agriculture to industry entail for living conditions?

Different living conditions, required different skills, and a movement of people from rural areas to urban centers.

How did the Russian population change in towns by the early 20th century?

By the end of the 19th century, 15% of the population lived in towns and cities.

What was the impact of the 1932-34 famine in Russia?

It was a cumulative effect of collectivization, war damage, severe drought, and mismanagement of grain reserves.

How did the housing conditions change under Soviet rule compared to the Tsars?

Under Stalin, there was a shift to tenement blocks with overcrowding, while Khrushchev doubled housing stock but abandoned communal living principles.

In what ways did the Tsars improve the lives of the Russian people compared to the Communists?

The argument could be made based on food security and housing; Tsars potentially had better outcomes in these areas.

What are some reasons students pursue higher education?

Social pressure, better job prospects, and a need for further qualifications to enter a profession.

Why is education important for an industrial economy?

An educated workforce is necessary for economic success, but too much education risks creating ideas that challenge government control.

What was a significant change in the approach to education under Stalin compared to the Tsars?

Stalin introduced stricter control and censorship in education to suppress ideas that challenged the regime.

What role did secret police play in limiting personal and political freedoms?

Secret police, such as the Okhrana and KGB, enforced state security through coercion, surveillance, and purges.

How did censorship evolve from Alexander II to Khrushchev?

Censorship was relaxed under Alexander II, tightened by Alexander III, fluctuated under Nicholas II, heavily used under Lenin and Stalin, and relaxed again under Khrushchev.

What events led to the formation of the Red Guard?

The Red Guard was created as the 'vanguard of the revolution' and grew to 5 million by the end of the Civil War.

What did the case of Vera Zasulich in 1878 illustrate about the legal system?

It illustrated the favoring of the nobility in the legal system, even as Alexander II sought reforms.

What was one of the propaganda slogans during the revolution?

'Peace, Land, and Bread' was a key slogan used to rally support among the people.

What can be said about the political freedoms under the different regimes?

Political freedoms were never universal and were frequently repressed whenever the regime felt threatened.

How does the relationship between levels of autocracy and intellectual freedom appear in educational contexts?

There tends to be a negative correlation where higher levels of autocracy lead to lower levels of intellectual freedom.