Financial Policy

The characteristic features of the financial policy during the reign of Peter I was oppressive tax system. Russia waged war, carried out active foreign and domestic policy, all these required an appropriate country budget, which was provided by extending of indirect and increasing direct taxes.

To cover the growing needs of the country there were new and new taxes invented by so called 'pribylschiks' led by A. Kurbatov: bath-hoses, fish, honey, horses and even beard taxes. By 1724 there were about 40 kinds of different indirect taxes. As an addition to those the state trade brought considerable income.

Alongside with these indirect taxes, there were direct taxes: recruit, dragoon, ship and special 'duties'. To cut expenses coins of the less weight were made and the content of silver in them was reduced, that saved considerable amount of money for the country. But still, that was not enough for the developing country, so the problem led to the reform of the tax system - establishment of poll-tax. From 1718 to 1724 the census was taken in Russia, 5,6 million of men were counted and taxed: landowner's peasants were to pay 74 kopeks, government peasants - 1 ruble 14 kopeks, craftsmen and merchants - 1 ruble 20 kopeks.
By the end of the reign of Peter I the income of the country had grown four times and constituted 8,5 million rubles, half of which were brought by poll-tax.

On this theme:


• Consequences of "shock therapy"
  
• The Basis of the Economic Policy of the Whites.
  
• Socio-Economical Development of Russia
  
• Foreign policy in 1992-1993.
  
• Problems of NEP Economics
  
• Zubkov V.A.
  
• The Economical Policy of Alexander III.
  
• The Reign of Catherine I (1725-1727)
  
• New Economical Policy (NEP)
  
• Foregn Policy in the Period of NEP
  
• Social and Economic Development of Russia in XV century.
  
• International Situation of Muscovy in XV century
  
• The Russian Federation
  
• Alexander III
  
• Foreign Policy. The Cold War.