VYAZNIKOVTSY IN THE BUSINESS AND SOCIAL LIFE OF EKATERINBURG OF THE 19TH — EARLY 20TH CENTURIES

Abstract

The article analyzes the class and territorial affiliation of the Vyaznikovians (Vyaznikovtsy, natives of the Vladimir province), who became Ekaterinburg merchants, the time of their appearance in the Middle Urals, the time of registration in the Ekaterinburg merchant class, as well as their role in the development of the city’s commercial, industrial and social activities. The research is based on historical-genetic and statistical methods. It is concluded that Vyaznikovtsy did not belong to the leading sources of the Ekaterinburg merchant class of the 19th — early 20th centuries, as their specific weight rarely exceeded 10 %. Much attention is paid to the study of areas of entrepreneurial activity practiced by the them. It is concluded that Vyaznikovtsy preferred trade, selling groceries, haberdashery and manufactory goods, and had relatively little interest in production activities. The article notes that some of them were interested in gold mining and some industries. They mostly founded small enterprises, but in some cases, there were large enterprises well equipped technically. This was especially the case in the flour-milling industry. The article pays attention to the participation of Vyaznikovtsy in the social life of Ekaterinburg, which largely consisted in close cooperation with the local government, as well as in a variety of charitable activities.