The years leading up to World War I in Russia were years of optimism. Russia's economic development, begun under Witte's ministry, continued to grow, bringing in foreign capital and railroads. Industry continued to increase throughout Russia, with many of the new companies owned by foreign industrialists. Russia's foreign trade increased, although the primary exports remained agricultural products. The Russian population also increased, by nearly 35% between 1897 and 1913; a declining death rate, coupled with a high birth rate, was largely responsible for the increase. Urbanization also continued, although at the outbreak of the war less than 20% of the Russian population lived in the cities.

Reform Movements

Reform movements, less violent but still significant, also emerged. For the first time, a significantly sized women's movement developed after 1905, spurred on in part by the increasing number of women in industry. In 1913, the first celebration of International Women's Day took place in Russia, organized by Alexandra Kollontai, one of Plekhanov's dedicated students and a devotee of Marxism. (more on her later!) Other reform movements, primarily concerned with the treatment of the working class, were also gaining in popularity.

Foreign Policy

In foreign policy, the Russian government continued its support of the pan-Slavic movement outside of Russia, although at a heavy price. When the Balkan Wars broke out in 1912-1913, the Russians offered support to the Serbs but did not directly intervene; the Second Balkan War drove Bulgaria out of the Balkan League and damaged Russia's prestige in the region, as well as increasing the demands of the Serb nationalists. The Russian government, which had vowed to aid its "Slavic brothers" in case of invasion or attack, was about to become embroiled in a messy war that would eventually bring about the downfall of the Romanov Empire.