Merchant entrepreneurship in the European north of Russia in the second third of the XIX century: opportunities and risks (case study of the Vologda province)

The paper considers, in addition to trade and industry, various forms of entrepreneurship of the merchants in the European North of Russia in the second third of the XIX century, case study of the Vologda province. The main source was publications in the Vologda Provincial Gazette for 1838-1860. Based on the results of the analysis of materials, it is possible to single out: insurance business; rental property; private lending, etc. Various concomitant risks of entrepreneurial activity of merchants were also noted, such as: damage to equipment at enterprises due to fire or natural disasters; non-payments for goods or loans; loss of cargo during transportation, etc. The consequence of the inefficient circulation of financial resources could be the auction sale of the merchant's movable or immovable property to cover debts; declaring a merchant "an insolvent debtor"; transition to philistinism. If the merchant committed a crime or misdemeanor, the deprivation of a good name was part of the criminal punishment.