Economic developments to 1914: industrial and agricultural growth and change
Between 1855 and 1914, Russia built factories, railways, and cities at speed. But farming remained backward, and most peasants stayed desperately poor.
Real World
Under Witte's policy, French investors poured capital into Russian railways and steelworks during the 1890s — by 1900 Russia was producing more iron than France, yet the majority of its population still farmed with wooden ploughs.
Exam Focus
Always evaluate Witte's industrialisation against its limits: high growth statistics alongside peasant poverty show you can handle contradictory evidence, which examiners reward.
Essay Framework
Use PEEL to structure every paragraph. Tap each step for guidance and an example.
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