How He Benefited Russia Essay Example

approval from the tsar and his advisors. Their rationale behind this was that it could bolster military power, enhance security, and establish a Russian presence in the Far East. This last point was essential as it facilitated the conquest of China by Russia and Europe. The railway line's success is evident in the seven-fold increase in grain exports between 1861 and 1901.

His success in politics and society was not solely due to his plans for the Trans Siberian Railway, but also because of his social policies.

Witte acknowledged the necessity of alleviating the tensions, distress, and protests that historically accompanied the initial phase of industrialization.

To summarize, the initial period of industrialization necessitated heavy investments in infrastructure and factories, often resulting in significant debt accumulation. Consequently, less funds were available for the general population, which frequently led to political unrest and a fragmented government. As a solution, implementing social policies aimed at enhancing the lives of numerous individuals was seen as a strategy to mitigate these challenges in the long run.

In 1882, the Regime took its first step towards workers' reform with the introduction of factory inspectors. These inspectors were crucial in evaluating workers' conditions and advocating for improvements. Simultaneously, laws were enacted to regulate the employment of women and children. Both initiatives, the factory inspectors and worker laws, garnered considerable public support. By implementing these social reforms, the Regime effectively averted possible backlash and secured sustained growth for the country.

With Witt's lobbying assistance, factory boards were established in 1886 to address workhouse disputes. These boards primarily focused on resolving arbitrary conflicts. Witt's proposal for these groups marked the initial progress toward trade union formation. This

development was significant because worker and surfs' rights were previously nonexistent. However, Witt's remarkable foresight recognized that repressing surfs and peasants would only result in severe instability for Russia. Maintaining authoritarianism would have hindered Russia's progress and potentially returned it to the regressive culture that Witt aimed to leave behind.

No one before him had the courage to challenge the established values of those in power. However, he was not the first advocate for fair rights, yet he managed to rise through the ranks and become the country's inaugural Prime Minister in 1905, which is truly remarkable. As a result of his reforms in 1880, the introduction of maximum working hours occurred in 1897: 11.5 hours for daytime workers and 10 hours for those who worked at night.

Witte's goal of rapid industrialization in Russia required the crucial financial backing of other countries since the country's vast size made it impossible for Russia to bear the startup expenses alone.

Witte solved the problem of attracting foreign capital by implementing the 1897 Gold Standard, which maintained the Russian state's Rouble at a high and stable level.

If the country's currency were subject to frequent changes, foreign investment would be unlikely due to the higher risk of financial loss. Another policy implemented marked another success for Witte and brought Russia closer to becoming a strong player in the global market. By 1914, a total of 2000 million Roubles of foreign capital had been invested in the country.

In summary, Witte's impact on Russia's modernization was greater than any previous leader. He implemented new governance approaches and greatly improved the country's efficiency. From 1893 to 1903, iron, steel, and oil production

tripled, resulting in significant industrial growth. In fact, Russia's growth rate surpassed that of Germany at 96.8% compared to Germany's 84.2%. Without Witte's crucial contribution, Russia's transformation from a backward medieval state to an industrializing nation would have been delayed for years or potentially not occurred at all.