The significance of the Balakhna "Ragozin" petrochemical plant in the economic development of Nizhny Novgorod province in 1877–1887.

Identificator

EDN: SVKBPX ; УДК: 94(470.24)

Authors

Fan‑Yung German Yur'evich, Doctor of Historical Sciences, associate professor of the Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Volga Region State University of Physical Education, Sports and Tourism. Russia, Kazan. ORCID: 0000‑0003‑4057‑2209. Scopus Author ID: 57211502464. E‑mail: ger‑fan‑yung@yandex.ru

Journal

HERALD OF HUMANITARIAN EDUCATION №1 (41), 2026

Section

NATIONAL HISTORY

Pages

9-18

Abstract

It should be noted that there is a need to study and summarize the positive experience of the economic development of Russian regions before 1917. In this regard, it is relevant to analyze the place and role of advanced regional industries in this development, which helps to clarify relevant scientific concepts. Chemical plants occupied a special place among the leading industries of the regions. It is also interesting to note that some of these plants continue to operate in our time. However, the study of their impact on the dynamics of socio‑economic development in the regions seems to be episodic, haphazard and very strange. The "strangeness" lies in the simultaneous operation and use of two mutually exclusive approaches when trying to characterize the state of the domestic chemical industry before 1917: both "critical" and "apologetic". The "critical" approach is based on the stereotype of a "wild", "backward" and "semi‑feudal" Russia, where, strangely enough, there were great chemists, but there was no developed chemical industry. The absurdity of this approach lies in its contradiction to the available generalizing works of the Soviet period, published in the 1940s – 1960s. In turn, the characteristics of the second approach include a very poor understanding of the basic principles and methods of historical knowledge, lack of critical analysis of sources, and their "mechanical" reproduction. This "symbiosis" of criticism and apology is also present in attempts to assess the role and place of the Balakhna petrochemical plant in the development of Nizhny Novgorod Province. This allows us to designate this issue as debatable.

Keywords

V. I. Ragozin industrial development of Nizhny Novgorod province in the 19th century petrochemistry "oleonafty" Balakhninsky "oleonaftovy" plant of the partnership "V. I. Ragozin and Co"

Recieved

11.09.2025

Published

03.06.2026

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