Trade in System of Life Support of Transbaikal Old Believers in 18^th - Early 20^th Centuries

Abstract

The article considers entrepreneurial activity of Semeiskie Old Believers of Transbaikal in the 18th - early 20th centuries. Three levels of trade in which they took part are investigated: international, regional and local. The role of Old Believers in the socio-economic development of Transbaikal region is revealed, the religious and traditionalist specificity of their entrepreneurial activity, high adaptive abilities in a motley ethnic environment are shown. The practical significance of the work lies in the fact that the study of historical and economic experience of Semeiskie may be in demand in the preparation of regional development programs. The entrepreneurship of Old Believers of Transbaikal focused on the international market is studied. The economic benefits of Semeiskie in the organization of production of velvet antler of the Manchurian deer and other activities are shown. Features of regional trade are reflected, economic value of activity of Old Believers of Transbaikal as the main producers of bread in province is shown. A wide range of small-scale production of Transbaikal Semeiskie focused on local markets is revealed. Scientific novelty lies in the study of previously unpublished archival sources. The basis for writing this work was the materials of State Archive of Irkutsk Region, National Archive of the Republic of Buryatia, as well as pre-revolutionary sources, including cartographic ones. The conclusion is made about economic prosperity in the 18th - early 20th century of local Old Believers’ communities through trade and business.

Keywords

• old believers
• semeiskie
• trade
• entrepreneurship
• kyakhtinsky tract
• verkhneudinsk