L russia in the 18 th century Russia under Peter I

Trade
Trade.
During the reign of Peter I, internal and foreign trade was stimulated. This was facilitated 
by the development of industrial and handicraft production, the conquest of access to the Baltic 
Sea, the improvement of means of communication. During this period, canals were built that 
connected the Volga and the Neva (Vyshnevolotsky and Ladoga). The exchange between 
individual parts of the country intensified, the turnover of the Russian fairs (Makarievsky, Irbit, 
Svenskaya, etc.) grew, in which the formation of the All-Russian market was manifested. 
For the development of foreign trade were important not only the construction of the St. Petersburg 
port, but also the support of Russian merchants and industrialists from the government of Peter I. 
This was reflected in the policy of protectionism and mercantilism, in adopting the Protective Tariff 
of 1724. In accordance with it the development was attended by the emperor himself) encouraged 
the export of Russian goods abroad and limited to the import of foreign products. The majority of 
foreign goods were subject to very high duties, reaching up to 75% of the value of the goods. 
Revenues from trade contributed to the accumulation of capital in the sphere of trade, which also 
led to an increase in the capitalist structure. The general feature of the development of trade was 
the implementation of the policy of mercantilism, the essence of which was the accumulation of 
money through an active trade balance. 
The state actively intervened in the development of trade: 
monopolies were introduced for the procurement and sale of certain goods: salt, flax, yuft, hemp, 
tobacco, bread, fat, wax, etc., which led to an increase in prices for these goods domestically and 
to limit the activities of Russian merchants; 

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Often, the sale of a certain commodity for which the state monopoly was introduced was transferred 
to a specific tax collector for the payment of a large amount of money; 
dramatically increased direct taxes (customs, drinking fees), etc .; 
The forced relocation of merchants to St. Petersburg, which was at that time an uncomfortable 
border town, was practiced. 
The practice of administrative regulation of freight traffic was applied, i.e. it was determined in 
which port and what to trade. Rough government intervention in the sphere of trade led to the 
destruction of the shaky foundation on which the welfare of merchants, above all, loan and usury 
capital, was maintained.