Issue 2 (91)
| THE NOBILITY AMONG THE URAL MINING FACTORIES OWNERS IN THE 18TH — EARLY 20TH CENTURIES: DYNAMICS AND WAYS OF DOMINANCE | |||
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| Year | 2026 | Number | 2 (91) |
| Pages | 6-18 | Type | scientific article |
| UDC | 94(470.5)”17/19” | BBK | 63.3(235.55)5 |
| Authors | Neklyudov Eugeniy G. |
Topic | THE RUSSIAN NOBILITY: INDIVIDUAL AND GROUP STRATEGIES |
| Summary | This article presents the results of an analysis of the class composition of the Ural mining factories owners from the formation of this leading group of regional entrepreneurs in the early 18th century until its disappearance during the nationalization of industry in 1918. The article draws on available data from the scientific literature, systematized by twenty-year periods, and compared based on the percentage of nobles, merchants, and representatives of other strata. A consistent and steady increase in the share of the nobility over 160 years is revealed (from 7 % in 1701–1720 to 89 % in 1841–1860), followed by stabilization at 86–89 % until the early 20th century. During the reign of Catherine II (1761–1780), the proportion of nobles exceeded half (51 %) of all factory owners. The share of merchants increased from 21 % at the beginning of the 18th century to 39 % by the end of that century, but then fell to 8 % at the beginning of the 20th century. In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, nobles and merchants displaced representatives of other strata that had dominated in the early 18th century. They reappeared in the post-reform period, but their share together with foreigners did not exceed 2,5–4 %. The predominant role of the nobility can be considered one of the significant characteristics of the Ural mining factories owners, distinguishing them from many other industrial groups of entrepreneurs in the Russian Empire. The driving force behind this process was not so much the involvement of noble families in mining and metallurgy, but rather the ennoblement of mine owners from other strata (primarily merchants) with the subsequent transfer of ownership between generations, which not only increased the number of owners but also established family ties with members of numerous noble families. The steady increase in the share of nobles is explained by the privileged status of the “noble class”, particularly the right to own serfs, who became the main source of labor. It also testifies to the growing prestige of mining and metallurgy ownership. | ||
| Keywords | Russian Empire, mining factories owners, estates, nobility, ennoblement | ||
| References |
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