INDUSTRIALIZATION AND LABOR LAWS IN RUSSIA by Ella Armstrong ‘27

Abstract:

This paper explores the complex process of industrialization in 19th-century Russia and its impact on labor laws and worker conditions. While the abolition of serfdom in 1861 sparked initial optimism and industrial growth, particularly in the cotton industry, laborers quickly faced harsh conditions and minimal protections. The widespread dissatisfaction with low wages, long hours, and dangerous factory environments led to protests and eventually sparked legislative reforms in the late 1800s. However, it was not just new industries and modern laws that fueled Russia’s transformation, but also the revitalization of older sectors like alcohol production and railway construction. Ultimately, this paper argues that the struggles of the working class and the adaptation of traditional industries were central to Russia’s emergence as a modern economic power.

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Industrialization and Labor Laws in Russia: Ella Armstrong ‘27