Early British And Russian Trade (16-17 Century)

In1553, the voyage conducted by Richard·Chancellor opened up the direct trade between England and Russia occasionally. The next year, the organizers of this voyage builded up a company, namely Russian Company. With the basis of a charter from the Queen of England, it also received much trading privileges from Ivan IV, especially the tariff exemption within Russia. The Russian Company monopolized the whole trade of Anglo-Russian, sometimes even acted as a representative of England’s government to consult with Russian about the trade and diplomacy. Thus, in some extent, the developing of Anglo-Russian trade relations in16th-17th century connected the changes of Company’s privileged position.In15-16century, with the formation of Russian unified nation, the foreign trade also developed, but the country had no access to the Baltic Sea, the way to contact with the West was blocked, the Russians were unable to obtain weaponry and technicians that they needed. So when the Englishmen landing at Russia, they received warm welcome from Czar, along with the monopolization about trading within Russia. However, this monopolization was based on the privileges granted by the Czar, it might changed due to the Czar’s demand and likes or dislikes at any times, this also lead the trade between England and Russia very instable. Afterwards, the Dutch competition became intense, and the Russian elite merchant began to exclude the British merchant, so the status of the latter constantly declined. Although the glory disappeared later, the evolvement of the trade of Anglo-Russian had brought huge impact on the economy and social development of the two countries, to some degree, it even influenced the development track of foreign trade and diplomacy in18th and19th century.There are five sections in this thesis, each section contain one chapter.The first section mainly summarize the development of foreign trade in England and Russia before the second half of the16th century. Because of the distance, both countries had no direct contact in foreign trade during this period.The second section is one of the important charter, which primarily expound the circumstance of Anglo-Russian trade in the second half of16th century. For the facts involved the foreign trade during this time, the author also comb the cause and effect, comprising the voyage of1553and the specific situation of Russian Company. Because of the Company’s privileged position was the tie to maintain normal bilateral trade, and the conduct of trade and political diplomacy between the two countries were closely related, so this is also an important source of instability in trade between England and Russia.The main contents of third part focuses on the Anglo-Russian trade in17th century, which is another emphasis of this article. After half of a century of development, the trade between the two countries had made certain achievement, while also faced new problems. Due to the alternation of time, the domestic situation in England and Russia also change heavily, including English Revolution and the Time of Trouble in Russia and so on. Different rulers demanded for different relations, especially in Russia, which also affected the growth of bilateral trade, the variation of Russian Company’s privileged situation was one of the most obvious aspect.The fouth section summarizes the impact of foreign trade between the two countries during the second half of16th century and17th century. With the outset of trade, the scope of exchanges between the two countries was limited, but because of the recording and disseminating of travelers and messengers, as well as those who contacted the two countries on account of trading affairs, to some extent, the people of both countries were exposed to different cultures and customs.The fifth part is the epilogue of this thesis, the author mainly summarize the basic features and major changes of Anglo-Russia trade in the second half of16th century and17th century, meanwhile also narrative the growth of Anglo-Russia trade in18th century, through the analysis of historical facts and data comparison, to find out the answer about the question raised by the beginning of this article, that what was the economic incentives for Russia to betrayed Napoleon and undermined continental system, as well as continue to trade with England. And now, the author can make a conclusion, that because Russia joined the continental system, the England suffered a heavy blow, but the impact on Russia can not be underestimated, even aroused strong opposition from the Russian nobility, so that they tried to undermine the Franco-Russian alliance. Couple with the loss of English market, the sale of Russia’s agriculture product and industrial raw materials was hampered, the Russia also can not gain cheap commodities from England, triggering a severe financial crisis. So, the Russia did not support the policy of Napoleon, and continue to contact with the United Kingdom is inevitable...