It all started in 1799 - William Pitt the Younger* was a reforming prime minister who was determined to do what he could to rationalise the British system of taxation. However, in 1793, when Britain found itself at war with revolutionary France, enormous expenditures on the army and navy required unprecedented borrowing and increased taxation.

The aftermath of World War II saw a significant restructuring of nations, economies, and borders. Among the various countries affected, the Soviet Union, later known as Russia, was an essential player in the victors' circle. This article explores the reparations received by Russia after the war, the context surrounding them, and their impact on the country's post-war recovery.