The development process of manufacturing centers of the Tambov Governorate in the 18th century

We consider the process of the appearance, foundation and development of the first broadcloth manufactories in the Tambov Governorate in the second half of the 18th century in the future factory centers and the largest commercial and industrial villages: Rasskazovo and Bondari, which predetermined the leading position of the Tambov Region in the broadcloth industry of the country during the 19-20th centuries. The relevance of the study comes from the need to establish the historical conditionality of the origin and development of industrial production in the agricultural region with entrepreneurial activity of certain citizens and active state support of this direction. We pay special attention to the economic potential characteristic of the region for new manufactories creation in the 18th century and merchants-manufacturers personalities (Olesov, Tulinov, the Gardenins and Demidov) from neighboring regions, who founded the first factories in the considered villages. We specify the chronology of the founding and activity of the broadcloth factories of the Tambov Governorate. We describe in detail the material infrastructure, manufactured products and used labor; we trace the communications of Tambov factories and manufacturers with other regions and government departments. The study provides a status summary of the governorate’s industry in the post-reform period (preceding the beginning of intensive industrialization).

manufacturing, broadcloth factories, Rasskazovo and Bondari villages, factory and civilian peasants, merchants-manufacturers, government procurement