“Paper” crisis in Siberia during the First World War and civil wars (based on materials of the city of Minusinsk, Yenisei province)

The paper examines the causes and development of the "paper" crisis in Siberia in 1914-1922. The paper supply to the region before the beginning of the 20th century is analyzed, the economic processes that led to the growth of its cost and deficit during the First World War are studied, and the measures of the Kolchak and Soviet governments to solve the problem during the Civil War are identified. It is shown that serious territorial disproportions in industrial production developed even in the pre-war period, paper enterprises were concentrated in the western regions. Of great importance was the fact that the country imported up to 30% of the required volume of paper. In Siberia, despite the presence of large reserves of raw materials, paper was not produced. Siberian entrepreneurs could not withstand competition with manufacturers in European Russia. Paper was imported to the region, which led to significant transportation costs. With the outbreak of military action, paper production was significantly reduced due to a number of reasons, such as the loss of factories in frontline areas, a shortage of raw materials, fuel, and labor, the disruption of trade, and widespread speculation. In Siberia, the crisis was felt particularly acutely due to the disruption of regular transportation. Already during this period, strict paper savings began in the offices of central and local government bodies. During the Civil War, the shortage increased significantly. Military action on the territory of the country did not allow the full use of the capacity of existing enterprises or the expansion of paper production, so the warring parties could only reduce its consumption. The recovery of the industry began during the NEP years, but the pre-war level of production was never achieved. Dependence on imports remained.