Probably every person has heard that trade is the engine of progress. Historians are convinced that the presence of trade routes, exchange of goods, sale and purchase are among the most important factors in the formation of towns and cities. So the history of Arkhangelsk is inextricably linked with trade, at least at the origins of the founding of the settlement were the British and the Dutch, who arrived in a distant land with these goals.
Arkhangelsk during the Middle Ages
The first to settle in these places were monks who were looking for solitude and tranquility. They founded the Archangel Michael Monastery on Cape Pur-Navolok. The first surviving mention of it dates back to 1419 - it is reported that it was devastated by the Swedes.
In the middle of the 16th century, the British actively developed the waters of the Arctic Ocean and coastal territories. They came for peaceful purposes, primarily to trade. Therefore, during the navigation season, merchants from Western Europe, as well as their "colleagues" from Moscow, Vologda and Kholmogor gathered here. The last settlement contributed to the emergence of the name of the formed settlement - Novokholmogory. The year of foundation is 1584, according to the decree of Ivan the Terrible, a fortress should be erected here, a kind of barrier on the way of the Swedes preparing for war.
Arkhangelsk - an outpost of the Moscow kingdom
Now the history of Arkhangelsk was inextricably linked with foreign trade, the city brought large profits to the treasury, respectively, it developed and grew. True, frequent fires caused irreparable damage, destroying wooden buildings. For example, the monastery, which gave a new name to the settlement, burned down in 1637.
Ostrog lost its functions of a defensive structure, and the port began to play an important role. Peter I contributed a lot to this, who realized the importance of Arkhangelsk as a seaport and trade center. It was thanks to him that the construction of the local shipyard began, which at the end of the 17th century was named the Arkhangelsk Admiralty.
In 1708, the city became the center of the province, it would seem, this should contribute to the development of Arkhangelsk. But the same Peter I, one might say, exchanged the city for St. Petersburg under construction, the role of the northern port began to diminish.
Change of priorities
Arkhangelsk could no longer regain its former glory as the main port in the north of the state. But at the end of the 19th century, the city opened up new prospects, areas of economic activity: timber extraction and export; base for training and recreation of polar explorers, conquerors of the Arctic; shipping in the North Sea.
This is how the history of Arkhangelsk can be briefly described until 1917. It is clear that with the establishment of Soviet power, life in this region proceeded according to completely different laws.
