cultural prices in 1879 and the move towards protectionism in Europe, led to "a re-think in the Ministry of Finance which...had practised free trade policies". The government, which had elements within "hostile to industrialisation...and afraid of the proletariat"5, was dominated by conservative ruling elite who were "concerned to prevent surplus rural population drifting to towns... [and] keen to preserve Mir".
             Russia's economy was "seriously retarded by serfdom and the slow process of disentangling it after 1861" so consequently Russian society possessed a insignificant, weak middle class constrained by its "lack of vigorous enterprising attitude" and "widespread scorn for trade" which resulted in their attraction to "the quick profits from trade [rather] to the risks of production".
             Russia's geographical aspects produced difficulties for the rapid industrialisation sought after. Due to its physical dimensions, the resources that were potentially available were scattered across vast distances. Russia had no fully functional, long distance transport system available, so it was practically unable to relocate these resources without difficulty, especially along rivers which had the possibility of freezing over during the winter months.
             The implementation of industrialisation in Russia began during the reign of Alexander II, when the defeat in the Crimean War indicated that economic modernisation was an urgent priority. His 'great reforms' of the economic and financial system had been a great help in the modernisation of Russia, especially with vigorous policy of railway expansion which held both a strategic and commercial importance and stimulated internal trade.
             Alexander's reforms had made certain progress trying to modernise the Russian economy, which aided the modernisation sought after by Alexander III. As Russia had not &quo...