Russian Preference for Red Printed Cotton from Central Asia and Industrialization

Abstract

The industrialized countries had unfavorable natural circumstances in comparison with Asia. But, as Europe had a preference for Indian commodities, it tried to find ways to import-substitute them. As a result, Europe created science and technology, constructed the transatlantic trade system and import-substituted Indian printed cotton. As Russia also tried to import-substitute “red” printed cotton from Central Asian, it achieved its early industrialization. Thus, it can be concluded that when a certain national ongoing appreciation or preference persists for a long time (in this case, three centuries), even if circumstances are unfavorable, obstacles can eventually be overcome and the object in question obtained, even if indirectly. In the case of Russia, their preference for “red” printed cotton from Central Asia promoted the modern cotton industry.