In 1765, by Decree of Her Imperial Majesty Catherine II, the oldest public organization, the Free Economic Society, was formed. It was independent from the Government, which is why it was called Free. The special position and rights of the organization were confirmed by each successor of Catherine II upon his accession to the throne. And even more than that, quite often the Free Economic Society received impressive sums from the treasury to implement its ideas.

The purpose of the Free Economic Society

At the origin of the formation of the organization was a whole group of courtiers, representing the interests of liberal-minded nobles and scientists, headed by M. V. Lomonosov. At that time, these people put forward very revolutionary ideas:

1. Development of monetary management.
2. Growth of industrial production.
3. Abolition of serfdom.

The truth that ruled then did not support them. And only Catherine II allowed the project to begin and encouraged it in every possible way. The Free Economic declared the primacy of the interests of the state, which should develop based on effective economic activity.

Getting started

And so, back in 1765, the Establishment of the Free Economic Society was finally adopted, which contributed to solving the problems of “increasing the people's well-being in the state by bringing the economy to a better state.” The first step was to hold a competition among 160 specialists representing various states. The main topic was the distribution of rights to land owners to bring maximum benefit to your country.

IVEO's main services to the Empire

The creation of the Free Economic Society was of great importance for the state. Among the organization’s services to both the reigning dynasty and the people of the country, the following should be noted:

1. Initiation of the abolition of serfdom.
2. Universal primary education.
3. Start of work of statistical committees.
4. Construction of the first cheese factories.
5. Distribution and popularization of new species and varieties of various cultivated plants (in particular, potatoes and others).

Publishing and educational activities

Members of the organization tried to convey their works on intensifying agricultural production, increasing the industrial power of the state and many other topics to the widest possible masses of the population. The Free Economic Society of Russia published both monographs and periodicals. The organization's library consisted of almost two hundred thousand monographs, and the collection of zemstvo publications included more than forty thousand copies of brochures and books. IN different times there were such great thinkers Russian Empire as A. M. Butlerov, G. R. Derzhavin, D. I. Mendeleev, N. V. Vereshchagin, P. P. Semenov-Tyan-Shansky, V. V. Dokuchaev, A. and L. Euler, A S. Stroganov, V. G. Korolenko, L. N. Tolstoy, A. A. Nartov, A. N. Senyavin and many others.

Contribution to the country's defense

First world war forced to mobilize everything that the Russian Empire had. The Free Economic Society did not stand aside either. Within its structure in Moscow, a special unit was created for the needs of the troops - Voentorg. His tasks included providing officers who were directly involved in hostilities with various goods at reduced prices.

Collapse and rebirth

The activities of IEVO structures were greatly undermined by the World War and subsequent revolutions. And after the events of 1917, the organization of Russian economists ceased to exist. Work resumed only after many years. In the seventies of the last century, restoration began public association leading economists. At this time, the need arose again to improve the economic activities of the state. It was then that economists organized their own organization - NEO. The newly formed Community carried out work throughout the country. Already in the late eighties, a transformation of the NEO took place. It began to be called "All-Union economic community".

Modern activities of VEO

In the early nineties it happened significant event. The Organization of Economists of Russia has again regained its former historical name. Now it became known as the Free Economic Society of Russia. Professor Popov made a great contribution to restoring the work of the organization. Today VEO operates in every region of Russia. This organization employs thousands of scientists and various specialists. VEO strives to use historical experience to play a fundamental role in understanding the problems facing the country's national economy. The organization pursues the goals of boosting Russian entrepreneurship. This large army of academic economists and administrative workers must find a new approach to solving pressing economic problems of the country's development.

Research

The organization is engaged in large scientific programs. The most famous of them:

Modern Editions of VEO

In Russia, the organization again began publishing Scientific Works. During the first three years of activity, 4 volumes were published, which are devoted to the most pressing problems of the domestic economy. Scientific Works publishes articles from Russia. VEO also released:

1. Analytical and information publications.
2. "Economic Bulletin of Russia".
3. Monthly "The Past: History and Experience of Management".

Revival of shows

With the help of the active work of the VEO, the tradition of holding various national competitions was restored. The Moscow government and VEO held shows in the late 90s, in which young scientists and many students took part. Two topics were considered: “Russia and beginning of XXI century", as well as "Moscow - the basis economic development countries." Being part of the International Union, which unites workers in the economic sector, VEO carries out work to improve the country's integration ties in the existing system.

VEO developments

Among the numerous works, a few stand out:

1. Employment, unemployment problems.
2. Investments, finance and the possibility of cash investments.
3. Further improvement of the banking system.
4. Caspian Sea: problems, choice of directions and priority solutions.
5. Environmental issues.
6. Promotion economic growth.

All proposed work of the VEO is supported and approved by the President and Government of the Russian Federation.

The Imperial Free Economic Society - the oldest economic public organization in Russia, one of the oldest public associations in Europe - was created in 1765 by decree of Empress Catherine II.

The society was established as an organization independent of the government, which is why it was called “free”. The privileged position of VEO and the rights given to it were confirmed by each of the successors of Catherine II upon their accession to the throne. Many of the Society's undertakings received financial support from the state treasury.

When creating the Society, the traditional Russian idea of ​​the primacy of the country’s interests was implemented, while it was openly and fundamentally declared that the basis for the development of Russia should be economic activity and its effectiveness. The Charter of 1765 stated that the goal of the Society was to take care of “increasing the welfare of the people in the state,” for which it was necessary to “try to bring the economy to a better state.”

The initiative to create the Society belonged primarily to M.V. Lomonosov and a group of scientists and courtiers closely associated with the circles of the liberal nobility, interested in the development of the money economy and national industry, who raised the issue of the need to abolish serfdom. Elizaveta Petrovna, who reigned at that time, did not pay due attention to M.V.’s initiative. Lomonosov and already Catherine II brings this idea to life.

My scientific activity The society began with a competition on the topic “What right to land should a landowner have for public benefit.” 160 specialists from many countries of the world took part in the competition.

The society had great services to Russian state. It initiated the abolition of serfdom, the introduction of universal primary education, ancestor Russian statistics, distribution of new varieties of agricultural crops in the country, etc. potatoes, the formation of the domestic cheese industry and much more.

The society published the "Proceedings" of the Free Economic Society, on the pages of which projects for "improving" agriculture, raising the productive forces of industrial enterprises, etc. were published. The Free Economic Society published 280 volumes of "Proceedings" and published 9 other special periodicals, has distributed millions of copies of books and brochures free of charge throughout Russia, including 126 publications of its Literacy Committee. Four volumes of the Proceedings of the Expeditions Equipped by the Imperial Free Economic Society and the Russian geographical society for the study of grain trade and productivity in Russia." The Society's library collected about 200,000 books, unique collection zemstvo publications (over 40,000 books and brochures).

Such prominent scientists and public figures of Russia as A.M. took part in the work of the Society. Butlerov, N.V. Vereshchagin, G.R. Derzhavin, V.V. Dokuchaev, V.G. Korolenko, I.F. Krusenstern, D.I. Mendeleev, A.A. Nartov, A.N. Sinyavin, P.P. Semenov-Tianshansky, A.S. Stroganov, L.N. Tolstoy, A. and L. Euler and many others.

During World War I, when it was necessary to mobilize state reserves, a Special Commission was created in the Society for the needs of the war. The famous Voentorg in Moscow was created by VEO at the expense of own funds in order to sell goods cheaper to all officers who participated in hostilities.

The World War and subsequent revolutionary upheavals in Russia significantly affected the work of the Society even after February revolution In 1917, the first public organization of Russian economists practically ceased to exist.

The revival of the public association of economists began in the 1970s, when interest in the profession of economist, in economic activity. At this time, economists received their own organization - the Scientific and Economic Society (SES) was created, which had its branches in all regions Russian Federation and union republics of the USSR. In 1987, the NEO was transformed into the All-Union Economic Society.

In 1992, the Russian public organization of economists was returned to its historical name - the Free Economic Society of Russia. A huge contribution to the development of the Society’s activities rightfully belongs to the President of the VEO of Russia, Professor G.Kh. Popov.

VEO of Russia operates in all regions of Russia. Its 60 republican, regional, regional and city organizations unite about 300,000 scientists and specialists.

VEO of Russia aims, using historical experience, to take on a leading integrating role in understanding development problems national economy Russia, the formation of Russian entrepreneurship, the formation business ethics and entrepreneurship.

The activities of VEO Russia are aimed at active participation activists of the Society - many thousands of academic economists and practitioners, employees of state, public enterprises and organizations, new economic structures in addressing the current socio-economic development of Russia and all its regions.

The main areas of activity are theoretical developments of various aspects of economic reform, development of alternative draft legislative and regulatory acts, providing assistance to regions of the country in the transition to market relations, increasing the level of economic knowledge of the population and youth in particular.

VEO of Russia carries out large regional economic research programs. Among them:

Permanent Round Table "Russia on threshold of XXI century", the work of which allows us to comprehend the situation in Russian society on the eve of the coming millennium and develop proposals for a strategy for the economic development of the country;

Research cycle "Problems of national and international economic security", which resulted in recommendations on a wide range of issues economic security countries at the regional, federal, international levels;

Creative meetings" Historical cities Russia" and "Milestones of Russian History";

Programs "Development of Small and Medium Enterprises" and " Current issues development of women's entrepreneurship".

VEO of Russia resumed production" Scientific works". In 1994 - 1997, 4 volumes of Scientific Works were published, dedicated to the most topical issues transformation Russian economy, the integration of Russia into the world economic community, the history and experience of managing our country.

As part of the publication of Scientific Works, VEO of Russia publishes the works of outstanding Russian economists of the twentieth century. The thematic series “Works of Russian Scientists Published Abroad” is being published. Among the publications of the VEO of Russia are the collection "Economic Bulletin of Russia" and the monthly "The Past: History and Economic Experience", information and analytical materials. A large volume of publishing activities is carried out regional organizations Society.

VEO of Russia has revived the tradition of holding national shows and competitions. In 1997, the Society, together with the Moscow Government, held competitions scientific works on economic issues for young scientists, students and schoolchildren on the topic "Russia on the threshold of the 21st century." Considering that 1997 is the year of the 850th anniversary of the founding of Moscow, a special topic was allocated within the framework of the competition: “Moscow - the center of socio-economic development of Russia: analysis of the state and prospects.”

As a collective member of the International Union of Economists, the Society works to promote the economic and social progress of the world community and, first of all, to develop Russia’s integration ties in modern system world economy.

Among the projects of this group, one can highlight such programs of the VEO of Russia as “Problems of employment of the population”, “Problems of investment, development of the financial and banking system”, “Problems of the Caspian Sea: directions, priorities and solutions”, “Environmental problems of safe and sustainable development world economy", "Factors and conditions of economic growth", etc.

The initiatives of the Free Economic Society of Russia received the support and approval of the President and the Government of the Russian Federation.

The Free Economic Society was created in order to disseminate among the nobility progressive ideas for organizing agricultural work to increase productivity and make labor more rational. The society was created on November 11, 1765 and was under the patronage of Catherine 2 (it was the first scientific society in Russia), as part of the implementation of the ideas of enlightened absolutism. Society members published books, magazines, and held exhibitions. The article is devoted to a description of the history of the organization of the Free Economic Society, as well as an analysis of the main results of its activities.

For what purpose was the Free Economic Society created?

In the 18th century, Enlightenment ideas began to gain popularity in Russia. The basis of these ideas is the role of science and education in social and state progress. For the first time, the ideas of the Enlightenment came to Russia under Peter 1, as a result of which the Academy of Sciences was opened. Later, the spread of Enlightenment ideas led to the opening of a university and other educational institutions. The peak of popularity of Enlightenment thinkers occurred during the reign of Catherine II. The Empress herself was on friendly terms with Voltaire and Diderot, who were considered classics of the French Enlightenment. Communication with Diderot forced Catherine to think about creating scientific publications in Russia, following the example of the Encyclopedia. Correspondence with Voltaire pushed the empress to create organizations that would bring progressive ideas to the people. The main sector of the Russian economy was agriculture, which is why this area required reforms, using the best practices and progressive ideas of Europe.

Creation of the Society

In 1765, dignitaries close to Catherine, Grigory Orlov and Roman Vorontsov, approached the Empress with the idea of ​​creating an organization that would disseminate progressive ideas of farming among landowners, as well as knowledge of animal husbandry and agronomy. According to the initiators, the Russian nobles knew only one way to increase productivity - expanding the territory, as well as increasing peasant duties. This is how a free economic society was born.

On modern language economy, landowners chose the extensive way of farming, and the newly created Society, and in fact a public organization, will disseminate the ideas of the intensive way, that is, increasing productivity through rational policies and scientific achievements (fertilizers, and later technology). The Empress supported the idea, and the Free Economic Society was organized. The two creators were also joined by Adam Olsufiev and Ivan Chernyshev.

Regarding organizational moment, then the Society was to be headed by a president, who was elected by the participants and approved by the monarch. Until 1783, Grigory Orlov was president. In the first years of its activity, the society published the journal "Proceedings", on the pages of which articles about the latest techniques soil treatment, information about fertilizers. In addition, members of the free economic society collected statistical information about climatic features regions of Russia. The magazine was published until 1855, and in total more than 30 volumes were printed. However, the most high-profile event in the activities of the Free Society was an essay competition on improving peasant life.

Peasant reform competition

Later Free Society announced a competition for the best plan for solving the peasant question in Russia. The peculiarity was that foreigners could participate in the competition. Several interesting projects were submitted this way.

Among the Russian works, A. Polenov was singled out, who proposed to weaken serfdom in Russia as much as possible, transferring large plots of land to the peasants, but in return giving them duties. Polenov's work was never published because it contained a detailed criticism of the serfdom system in Russia.

The most radical project was Voltaire, who proposed completely freeing the peasants by transferring land to their ownership. The very fact of the participation of the great philosopher and poet in this competition attracted the attention of all of Europe to this event.

The winner of the competition was the project of the Frenchman Bearde de Labey, who proposed to free the peasants, but transferring small plots of land into their ownership, which would force them to rent the land from the owners - the nobles.

Despite the great interest in the competition, its ideas remained projects. However, despite this, for the first time the nobility faced the question of the future of the serfdom system.

Free economic society in the 19th century

In the mid-19th century, the Society expanded significantly and consisted of three sections:

• Agriculture;
• Agricultural equipment;
• Agricultural Statistics.

An interesting fact is that the society bought land near St. Petersburg and created a site for experiments there. This was called the Okhtinskaya farm. In 1899, the Society began publishing the journal Soil Science.

During the reforms of Alexander II, the Free Society became a place for discussion of liberal ideas. That is why at the end of the century it came under the control of the Ministry of Agriculture, effectively ceasing to be public organization. In fact, the Free Society ceased to exist in 1915; the society was finally dissolved in 1919 during the Civil War.

Has the society achieved its objectives?

Despite much scientific and statistical work, as well as the popularization of progressive methods of farming, historians question the effectiveness of the Free Economic Society. Today, most historians believe that the Society did not fulfill its task, because, despite large number publications, only a few nobles became interested in the modernization of the village. However, the very fact of the Society’s existence prompted discussions about the future of the village in the Russian Empire. It was the Society that first forced the nobles to think about the serfdom system and its problems. Thus, the main merits of the Free Economic Society lie in the theoretical sphere; the matter never reached large-scale practice.

§ 4. Colonies of foreigners

ABOUT understanding of the low efficiency of forced labor is evidenced, in particular, by an attempt to clearly show the advantages of free labor by creating wide network model farms based on free labor. In the conditions of serf Russia, such a mission was entrusted to foreign settlers from countries Western Europe. Decree

O an invitation to Russia for those wishing to engage in agriculture was issued just a few months after the accession of Catherine II - October 14, 1762. The conditions that were proposed were impressive. Foreigners were promised the opportunity to farm “on the most fertile lands in the world.” Here they were to be housed in pre-built houses and provided with livestock and household equipment. All this was offered for a loan, the payment of which was to be repaid in small installments over a long period of time. The settlers were granted self-government, freedom of religion, and were only prohibited from building monasteries. Along with agriculture, they could engage in fishing activities, establish fairs and trades, and conduct trade both within the state and with other countries. On long time they were exempt from all duties, including recruiting. And all this in serf Russia, in conditions of tightening serfdom here. The scale of the plan is evidenced by the size of the allocations: during the reign of Catherine, over five million rubles were allocated for this

- a huge amount for those times.

The practical implementation of the plan was carefully thought out. A special institution was created in St. Petersburg: the Office of Guardianship of Foreigners, which was in charge of resettlement matters. The then favorite of Catherine II, Alexei Orlov, was placed at the head of the office, endowed with the broadest powers. Characterizing him business qualities, Ekaterina highlighted diligence and exceptional energy in carrying out the assigned tasks, which also emphasized the importance attached to the new enterprise. The entire network of institutions created locally that were in charge of land delimitation was accountable to the Guardianship Office. At the same time, they were ordered to take into account even the fact that, in order to avoid possible collisions, representatives of different religious denominations did not coexist with each other. Land for settlers was allocated in the central provinces of Russia, as well as in St. Petersburg. But the main habitats were to become the then half-empty lands of the Middle Volga region and the Northern Black Sea region.

In Western European countries, a system of recruitment centers was created. Such a broadly conceived event, however, did not live up to expectations. There were several reasons. Perhaps the main thing was that, despite a well-organized recruitment service, instead of the expected hardworking farmers and skilled artisans, only a few dared to come to Russia, primarily seekers of an easy life, a significant part of whom consisted of declassed elements rejected by society . In addition, the measures planned in St. Petersburg for the timely delimitation of land, the construction of houses and the fulfillment of other conditions were not implemented. On the outskirts, the small local population greeted the newcomers unfriendly. The landowners, in the conditions of the development of market relations, themselves coveted fertile lands. The local administration immediately saw a source of profit here. Russian reality, thus, overturned the transformation plans proposed by the government, showing their illusory nature. Just two years later, in conditions when the newly minted colonists brought to undeveloped lands found themselves dependent on the treasury, it was decided to stop the influx of new ones for the time being. The permit was renewed only in the 70s, after more than 10 years, and already had other goals: to promote settlement

nyu uninhabited places. The colonies of foreigners did not play any noticeable role in the economic life of Russia. The economy of foreign settlers improved only after several decades, through the efforts of subsequent generations. But even then, these settlements of colonists existed separately, not in close contact with the surrounding population.

Thus, large-scale plans had to be abandoned. In the conditions of Russia in the 18th century. they turned out to be unrealistic, since they were not supported by economic and social guarantees. The local administration was unable to carry out the work entrusted to it, and local residents perceived the new settlers unfriendly, especially against the backdrop of the privileges that were granted to them.

Security questions

1. Describe the main features of enlightened absolutism and its specifics in Russia in the second half of the 18th century.

2. Give an assessment of the “Order” of Catherine II of the Legislative Commission.

3. Why are there no articles in the aforementioned “Nakaz” about the largest class – the peasantry?

4. Why did the work of the Statutory Commission fail and what significance did it have?

5. In whose interests were the activities of the “Free Economic Society” carried out?

6. Connect the idea of ​​​​organizing colonies of foreigners with the ideas of the “Nakaz”.

Literature

1. BricknerA. The history of Catherine II. T. 1–2. M., 1991.

2. Druzhinin N.M. Enlightened absolutism in Russia / Absolutism in Russia (XVII–XVIII centuries). M., 1964.

3. Kamensky A.B. Life and fate of Catherine the Great. M., 1997.

4. Klyuchevsky V.O. Russian history course. Op. in 9 volumes. T. 4. M., 1989.

5. Moryakov V.I. Russian enlightenment of the second half. XVIII century M., 1994.

6. Omelchenko O.Ya. "Legitimate Monarchy" of Catherine II. M., 1993.

7. Pavlenko N.I. Catherine the Great. Ed. 2nd. M., 2000.

Chapter XIX Socio-economic development of Russia in the second half of the 18th century.

Second half of the 18th century. became time significant development agriculture, industry and trade. This was facilitated by both objective circumstances and the purposeful activities of the government. After all, it was the economic sphere that largely ensured the stability of society and constitutes the economic foundation military power states.

§ 1. Agriculture

In the second half of the 18th century. Agriculture remained the main sphere of activity of the majority of the population and the main source of living goods. The increase in agricultural production was carried out, first of all, through the annexation of vast territories to Russia and the development of previously uncultivated lands. So, at this time, Right Bank Ukraine, the lands of Belarus, and the Baltic states became part of Russia. Beginning in the 1930s, as a result of landowner and partly peasant colonization, vast areas of the Volga region began to be developed for agricultural land. The victories of Russian weapons, as well as the organizational activities of G.A. Potemkin stimulated the development of lands in the Northern Black Sea region. Thus, Russia's agricultural balance included vast lands, some of which had previously been a zone of relatively intensive agriculture.

One of the consequences of this was a further deepening geographical division labor. The main producers of bread are the provinces of the Black Earth Center, stretching from the middle reaches of the Dnieper to the middle reaches of the Volga. Here the yield of grain was five or more. Along with traditional crops - rye, oats, barley, the plantings of wheat, which is in high demand in the domestic and foreign markets, are expanding. Harvesting grain on infertile non-chernozem soils in a vast area covering part of Belarus, the Smolensk region, Tver, Novgorod, Pskov, Vologda and other provinces often did not provide the population with bread, especially in conditions of frequent crop failures. (In the 18th century, there were 30 lean years in Russia.) But here, on podzolic soils, the cultivation of industrial crops: flax and hemp expanded. Potato plantings are increasing and they are becoming a garden crop. The population, purchasing grain supplied from the South and South-West, had the opportunity to expand fishing activities.

Along with the dominance of the traditional three-field system, steps are being taken to introduce multi-field systems, improve land cultivation, and organize seed farming. A major contribution to this belonged to the above-mentioned Free Economic Society, founded in St. Petersburg. But also locally, through the efforts of local enthusiasts, agronomic schools are being created. Thus, Olonets Governor Sivers announced the creation of a school where they teach how to grow potatoes and invited landowners to send boys there for training.

Commercial gardening developed around capitals and large cities. Thus, the peasants of the Rostov district of the Yaroslavl province specialized in growing early vegetables and chicory.

The processing of agricultural raw materials is becoming an important area of ​​landowner entrepreneurship. First of all, it should be noted that distillation has become widespread. The supply of wine to the treasury brought large profits. In 1756, the nobility was granted a monopoly on its supply. The scale of distillation is evidenced, in particular, by the fact that in the Smolensk province alone in the 80s there were 568 distilleries.

Cattle breeding, like agriculture, was of a low level. The peasants' livestock breeds were mostly unproductive. Cattle breeding was also poorly developed in the landed estates. But here, too, new trends have emerged. Thus, in the north of the country one of the best breeds cattle - Kholmogory. In the Oryol, Voronezh and other provinces, breeds of trotting and draft horses are being bred, and fine-fleece sheep breeding is being introduced in the south of the country.

However, examples of this kind were episodic. The bulk of the population continued to engage in agriculture in the old fashioned way.