Small Credit Institutions in Nomadic Societies of Stavropol Governorate in 19<sup>th</sup> — Early 20<sup>th</sup> Centuries

Abstract

The issues of organization and functioning of small credit institutions in the nomadic societies of the Stavropol province of the 19th — early 20th centuries are studied. The basis of the source base was the legislative acts, verdicts of public gatherings and clerical correspondence, revealed for the first time in the funds of the Russian State Historical Archives, the State Archives of the Stavropol Territory and the National Archives of the Republic of Kalmykia, unveiling the process of organization and activities of auxiliary and loan and savings banks. The analysis of documents by applying a systematic method of scientific research made it possible to reveal the internal mechanisms of the functioning of small credit institutions in the societies of Nogais, Turkmens and Kalmyks. Using the retrospective method, the influence of the activities of auxiliary and loan and savings banks on the change in their economic orientation, and the historical-comparative method contributed to the identification of common and special features in the course of their organization and work was revealed. The author focuses on the importance of small-scale lending in the conditions of an extensive way of running a nomadic economy, which depends on natural and climatic factors. Conclusions are drawn about the role of small-scale lending in the transition of nomads to a settled way of life. The social effect in rallying the members of a nomadic society, in the development of the spirit of entrepreneurship is emphasized.