The State of Industrialisation in Russia and Britain: A Comparative Analysis
Summary
The article compares the state of industrialisation in Russia and Britain in the late 19th century up to the eve of World War I. While Russia saw significant growth in industrial production, heavy industry lagged behind consumer goods industries, and its growth was heavily dependent on foreign investment. On the other hand, traditional industries hindered the development of new ones in Britain, and productivity rates fell below those of American industries. The article examines the factors that led to these differences and the impact they had on the global economy.
Table of Contents
- Russian Industrialisation in the Late 19th Century
- British Industrialisation in the Late 19th Century
- German Dominance in the Chemical and Electrical Industries
- Italian Industrial Growth Based on Hydroelectric Power
- Swedish and Norwegian Industrialisation through Hydroelectric Power
Q&A
Russian Industrialisation in the Late 19th Century
Q: How did Russia’s economy fare in terms of industrialisation in the late 19th century?
A: Russia saw significant growth in industrial production during this period. However, heavy industry lagged behind consumer goods industries, and it was heavily dependent on foreign investment. The growth was also heavily concentrated in certain regions, primarily around Saint Petersburg and Moscow.
Q: Which policies did Finance Minister Sergei Witte implement to encourage industrialisation in Russia?
A: Finance Minister Sergei Witte attempted to force industrialisation with policies such as protective tariffs. He also encouraged foreign investment in order to fund the development of heavy industry. However, his success in encouraging foreign investment was limited.
Q: What were some of the challenges that hindered the growth of heavy industry in Russia?
A: One major challenge was the lack of a large, skilled labour force. Another challenge was the country’s underdeveloped transportation infrastructure, which made it difficult to transport raw materials to factories and finished goods to markets.
British Industrialisation in the Late 19th Century
Q: How did traditional industries hinder the development of new ones in Britain?
A: Many British firms failed to switch to the latest methods, allowing Continental industries to take the lead in production. British industrial production slowed down, and productivity rates fell below those of American industries.
Q: What steps did British industrialists take to control competition?
A: British industrialists resorted to controlling competition through trade associations, trusts, and cartels. This allowed them to maintain their dominance in certain industries and prevent new competitors from entering the market.
Q: What was Britain’s role in the global economy during this period?
A: Britain became an exporter of coal, a major raw material. However, its dominance in other industries was challenged by Continental industries, particularly those in Germany, which became a world leader in the chemical and electrical industries.
German Dominance in the Chemical and Electrical Industries
Q: What factors contributed to Germany’s dominance in the chemical and electrical industries during this period?
A: Germany led the chemical industry and heavily dominated research in the field. Companies such as BASF and Bayer were founded, and developed new products such as aniline dyes and pharmaceuticals. This was partly due to the employment of trained scientists from state-funded German universities. Siemens and AEG accounted for 75% of German electro-technical production.
Q: How did the German banking and industrial enterprises control competition?
A: The German banking and industrial enterprises were closely intertwined, controlling open-market competition. By 1907, cartelization covered 90% of the German market in paper, 74% in mining, and 50% in crude steel. This allowed German businesses to maintain high prices and prevent new competitors from entering the market.
Italian Industrial Growth Based on Hydroelectric Power
Q: How did Italy experience rapid industrial growth?
A: Italy experienced rapid industrial growth based on hydroelectric power. The industrial growth rate was estimated at around 5% per annum, with electricity growing by 15%, chemicals by 13%, and iron and steel by 11%.
Q: What impact did this growth have on the economy and society?
A: This growth had a significant impact on the local economy and society. It led to the development of new industries and the creation of jobs, which helped to reduce poverty and improve living standards.
Swedish and Norwegian Industrialisation through Hydroelectric Power
Q: How did Sweden and Norway achieve industrialisation through hydroelectric power?
A: Both Sweden and Norway experienced a large growth in hydroelectric power resources, which allowed them to develop new industries and improve productivity. This led to an increase in jobs and economic growth.
Q: What impact did this growth have on the global economy?
A: Although the impact of their growth was not as significant as that of other countries, such as Germany, it did help to diversify the global economy and increase competition in certain industries.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the state of industrialisation in Russia and Britain in the late 19th century up to the eve of World War I differed significantly. While Russia saw significant growth in industrial production, heavy industry lagged behind consumer goods industries, and its growth was heavily dependent on foreign investment. In Britain, traditional industries hindered the development of new ones, and productivity rates fell below those of American industries. Meanwhile, other countries such as Germany, Italy, Sweden and Norway experienced rapid industrial growth based on factors such as hydroelectric power and state-funded research. These differences had a significant impact on the global economy and shaped the course of history.
