THE TSARIST IRON WORKS IN RUSSIA IN THE 17TH CENTURY

Abstract

The palace manufacturing industry in Russia in the 17th century was represented by glass, morocco, linen, iron-making manufactories. They used the most advanced European technologies. Manufactories developed due to the exploitation of the population of the royal fiefdoms, soldiers, archers, domestic and foreign employees. Most of the products were intended for the needs of the royal family, a smaller one portion was used as sovereign grants and was bought up by the first-class nobility of Russia. A certain number of finished products were supplied to the domestic and international markets. The products of the palace iron works were exported abroad. At the same time, the organization of their activities in historical science remains virtually unexplored. The novelty of this article lies in the formulation of a scientific problem. Here is the list of points that were covered in our research. The role of the tsarist iron works in the economy of the tsarist domain in Russia in the 17th century is determined. The main types of products of the palace iron-making manufactories are identified. The features of their functioning are studied. The article analyzes the conditions under which Dutch entrepreneurs rented tsarist iron works in the Russian state in the 17th century. Methods of providing industrial facilities with labor are shown. The significance of the Ministry of Secret Affairs in the organization of iron ore mining, which was in charge of the royal iron works, is determined. Their historical and geographical coordinates are indicated. The features of sales of finished products are covered. The evolution of the tsarist iron-making industry in Russia during the 17th century is explained. In the palace fiefdoms, natural and human resources were used as much as possible. In the 17th century, in five districts of Russia (Maloyaroslavsky, Obolensky, Tula, Kashirsky, Moscow), the tsarist iron factories functioned. On which they used European experience in the use of production processes. Foreign specialists and entrepreneurs were invited to Russia. Dutch merchants A. Vinius, E. Vickens, P. Marselis, F. Akema, R. Adrian received a monopoly on the extraction of iron ore, the establishment of factories on unpopulated palace lands.