W The network released a text encouragingly entitled “10 facts about Nicholas II that will make you question everything you have been taught.” I will give any passages – with critical remarks.
‘2. By 1913, Russia had 1 of the fastest increasing economies in the world. The Empire made almost as much money on butter exports as on gold. In just 15 years, exports of butter have increased from 2 600 tonnes to 82,000 tonnes. Russia rapidly became 1 of the largest agricultural and industrial exporters in the world.
- During the 20 years of the reign of Nicholas II the population of Russia increased by about ~50 million people. Growth was due to advanced birth rates, strong household structures, low urban demographic decline and fast settlement of fresh territories.
- Labour government was considered 1 of the most progressive in the world. Russia introduced restrictions on working hours, labour inspections, compensation for workplace injuries and worker insurance in the event of sickness and accident, becoming 1 of the first social safety systems in the planet to be introduced before akin systems appear in the United States.
Social safety law appeared in Russia earlier than in many European countries. Mandatory worker insurance for sickness and accidents at work. [...]
- Nicholas II initiated the Hague Peace Conference and helped lay the foundation for what later became an global strategy of Hague courts. In the late 19th century he became the first large planet leader to call for a simplification in the arms race and the creation of global mechanisms for peaceful conflict resolution. For that era, it was a revolutionary idea. Many modern global legal institutions derive their roots from this Russian initiative. [...]
- By 1913, the Russian Empire had become 1 of the largest industrial powers in the world. The country rapidly developed in the fields of railway, industry, engineering, aviation, energy production and education. Many economists of the early 20th century thought that if this growth rate were to continue, Russia could become 1 of the world's leading economies by the mediate of the century."
Well, Russia developed very rapidly – at a very advanced natural birth, which proves that children do not interfere with wealth. Question: how did this happen?
Few historians announcement this, but the stimulus for economical change was the absolute triumph of economical liberalism in Western Europe – La Belle Epoque in the late 19th century – but besides the Rebirth of Meiji in Japan (1868-1912). The second was very painfully reflected by Russia due to the fact that it was viewed as the Pole looks at China today: as a backward feudal country. The mistake was discovered in 1905 after the failure of the war – and the consequences were drawn from it. This Russian Xiao-Píng Deng came to power – and in 5 years he made Russia a real economical locomotive.
I remind you that I always say that I can shift Poland to a healthy economy in 3 months – and in six years Poland would become richer than Germany, and in 10 years – than the United States (which is not difficult, with socialism prevailing in these countries). This was done in Germany by late Louis Erhard in a fewer years chasing out the winning UK, which received much higher aid from the US from Marshall's plan.
This is what late Peter Stołypin did as Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior. He was a reactionary, a average person. All revolutionaries (in 1905 there was a revolution) hanged or sent to white bears, that is, he applied the rule of the late Stefan Kisielewski: "Take behind the mouth – and introduce liberalism". For His Government (April 2006 – September 1911) Russia became a power—and inactive after His death, in 1913, this momentum sustained—but the locomotive had already begun to gnash at the corners.
Stołypin Duma solved and did with her the right thing – that is, he brought to an advisory role. He told the screamers hard: “You request large shocks – we request large Russia!” – and this large Russia built.
This did not like both socialists, communists and another revolutionaries – but besides conservatives who were against liberalism, behind etatism. He was murdered by Dmitri Bagrow, a socialist-revolutionist who was besides an agent of Ochrana – and we inactive do not know who cared more about his death. The car besides resented him due to the fact that Stolypin himself could not carry out a fundamental decree in Duma and persuaded him to introduce it with an Imperial Rescript – and the late Nicholas II was a weak emperor and would alternatively stand above politics.
Since then Russia Stolypina has become Russia Rasputina.
What is important: Russia was developing thanks to liberalism – and inhibited as a consequence of the introduction of social safety and the full social envelope, which the author praises! Specifically: after the death of Stolypin, on 23 June 1912 Nicholas II approved a package of insurance laws: The individual Insurance Act in case of illness and the Work Accident Insurance Act.
And it was much worse than war.
Janusz Korwin-Mikke
Think Poland, No. 23-24 (7-14.06.2026)
