Foreign Purchases for the Needs of Russian Transport during the First World War: Problem Statement and Historiographical Aspects

Abstract

The article discusses general theoretical considerations about the factor of foreign purchases in solving the transport crisis in Russia during the First World War. At the same time, the main emphasis is placed on a historiographical review of the problem, which allows us to formulate a vector for further research. Since the end of 1914, it has become obvious to the political and military leadership of the country that the requirements of wartime in some industries significantly exceed the capabilities of domestic manufacturers. First of all, this applies to railways, front and rear, which constantly needed a huge number of new rails and fasteners to them, switches, bandages, wagons of various types, locomotives and other materials. The inability to produce the necessary materials in the right quantity at Russian enterprises naturally led to the need to purchase them abroad, primarily in the United States and allied countries - Great Britain and France. Since 1915, foreign procurement has been on a wide scale. Military and civilian authorities, trying to improve the operation of transport, which is critical in wartime conditions, are gradually expanding the range of goods ordered abroad for transport purposes, including cars, materials for aviation and the navy.