Raskazovsky fishing cooperative partnership of artistic knitters - a successful experience in the implementation of soviet cooperative policy

Introduction. The article deals with the specifics of formation and development of the trade cooperative society of knitting craftsmen in Rasskazovo. This association can be characterised as the most effective product of the Soviet policy of cooperating craftsmen on the territory of Tambov province. It is also remarkable that it was made up exclusively by women. The time frame of the study covers the period of war communism and the NEP. It was a time when the country was in deep economic crisis and most of the demands of the state and society could only be met by artisans. Materials and Methods. The authors of the article provide a brief historiographical review of the problem considered in the paper. It is important to note that in the Soviet period it was not systematically considered by scientists. Its relevance appeared only with the transition to a market system . In addition, the article characterises the sources used, including both archival documents and published materials. Results. As a result of the analysis of the sources it was possible to establish that the knitting trade on the territory of the Tambov district was widespread in the prerevolutionary period, which was a prerequisite for further co-operative development. At the first stages of its existence, the industrial co-operative society of knitting craftsmen in Rasskazovo faced the problem of lack of raw materials and financing, which limited the possibilities of expansion. However, already in 1919 the cooperation concentrated on work with the military department, which allowed to gradually expand production. This concept of work was maintained during the NEP years, although there were cases of selling products on the markets, including Moscow and Kharkov. The management of the cooperation constantly tended to modernise. And while in 1920 it was possible to electrify the workshop, the idea of mechanisation of production proposed by the management in 1925 was not implemented. Conclusion. Such research allows us to give an objective assessment of the effectiveness of the Soviet policy in the field of crafts industry.