Ekaterinburg is one of the largest cities in our country. It is relatively young and is one of the settlements that were founded during the period of the emergence of Russian industry and the development of the Urals. That is why, when they talk about Yekaterinburg, the history of the city is full of events related to ironworks and metallurgy. Let's get started.
Yekaterinburg: the history of the region before the appearance of Russian settlers
Today, scientists have facts that allow us to assert that the territory of modern Yekaterinburg was already inhabited in the 8th-7th millennium BC. Between 6000 and 5000 B. C. e. the population of these places was actively engaged in the development of the natural resources of the region, as evidenced by artifacts found during excavations of ancient workshops. As for the processing of metals, they began to do it on the banks of the Iset approximately from the 1st century AD.
First factories
At the time when Russian settlers appeared on the territory of modern Yekaterinburg, there was no permanent population there, and nomads sometimes stopped there andhunters who are representatives of the Turkic and Finno-Ugric ethnic groups. The first Russian settlement in these places is considered to be the village of Old Believers on the shores of Lake Shartash, which was founded around 1672. A little later, the settlements of Nizhny and Upper Uktus also arose. After it became known about the natural we alth of these places, in 1702 it was decided to establish the Uktussky, and in 1704 - the Shuvakishsky ironworks. However, these state-owned enterprises did not operate as efficiently as those belonging to the Demidov family, therefore, in 1720, Vasily Tatishchev and Johann Blier were sent to the Urals with an inspection. Arriving at the Uktussky plant, they founded the Siberian Oberbergamite there - the highest body for managing state-owned factories in the region.
As the results of Tatishchev's research showed, an extremely unfortunate place was chosen for the construction of the Shuvakish and Uktus plants. Therefore, the new Oberbergamite collegium sent a petition to St. Petersburg for permission to build a new enterprise 7 km from the old one. It was not satisfied, and Tatishchev was removed from business, ordering him to return to the capital.
Foundation of the city
After 2 years, Georg de Gennin arrived in the Urals on the orders of Peter the Great, who, having familiarized himself with the rejected project of his predecessor, fully supported him. Construction began on March 12, 1723, and by order of the government, the Demidovs were forced to send their best to the banks of the Iset to organize it.specialists.
In November 1723, hammers were launched in the factory shop, and today this event is considered to be the day of the founding of Yekaterinburg.
Yekaterinburg: the history of the city in the first half of the 18th century
At the time of its foundation, the new steel plant was the largest and most powerful in the world. Major General Gennin, who was in charge of the project, personally turned to Catherine the Great with a request to grant the fortress-factory the name Katerinburh. The Empress graciously agreed, but ordered that the city be called Ekaterinburg. This name did not take root, and soon the toponym "Yekaterinburg" appeared on the map of Russia.
The history of the development of metallurgy in the Urals from that moment began to look like an exciting novel, full of intrigue and dramatic events. Suffice it to say that Old Believers from all over Russia and fugitive Moscow archers-rebels began to settle in the city. There they practically turned into slaves, and those who tried to escape were sent to prison, which today would be called a concentration camp.
Pugachev uprising
So the city was built literally on the bones of the workers, discontent ripened there. So, during the Pugachev uprising, many residents were not averse to surrender Yekaterinburg to the rebels. History has preserved evidence, including that a riot was brewing even among officers who were dissatisfied with the commander of the fortress, General Bibikov.
Mountain City
After the Great Siberian Highway passed through Ekaterinburg, its rapid development began as a transit hub between Europe and Asia. During these years, its appearance radicallychanged. In particular, many historical monuments of Yekaterinburg were created, which today are considered its main attractions.
In 1807, the city was awarded the status of a mountain, which gave some privileges. Since that time, the flourishing of the gold mining industry has been observed, associated with the discovery of 85 deposits of this precious metal in the vicinity of the city. Thanks to the development of mines, the city began to grow rich rapidly and turn into one of the most important economic and cultural centers of the Russian Empire. A mining museum, a professional theater, a meteorological observatory, etc. were opened there.
History of the city from the second half of the 19th century to the revolution of 1917
After the abolition of serfdom in 1861, mining began to decline. The crisis also affected Yekaterinburg. The history of its development since that time has taken a somewhat different path. In other words, in modern terms, there was a diversification of the economy, which ultimately had a positive impact on the lives of citizens. The development of Yekaterinburg was greatly facilitated by the construction of the railway that connected the city with Perm.
At the beginning of the 20th century, the city became the center of a revolutionary movement led by Yakov Sverdlov. In 1905, the mass anti-government rally organized by him was dispersed by the Cossacks and the Black Hundreds, who also staged a bloody pogrom.
Before the start of the First World War, A. Kerensky was a frequent guest in Yekaterinburg, whosucceeded in holding a revolutionary meeting. In parallel with this, ordinary life was going on in the city, and almost on the eve of the revolution of the 17th year, the first university in the Urals was founded. In general, the history of schools in Yekaterinburg is very interesting, if only as an example of the correct organization of public education in the provinces.
Civil War
Even the history of the streets of Yekaterinburg and its individual houses is of great interest. So, everyone knows the Ipatiev House, where in 1918 the whole family and some close associates of Nicholas II were shot. This was preceded by a bloodless seizure of power in the city in October 1917 and the arrest of the emperor, followed by his transfer to the Urals. Then the city for some time was first under the control of the Czech corps, and later - Kolchak's troops. However, in 1919, units of the 2nd and 3rd armies of the Red Army entered Yekaterinburg.
Sverdlovsk
In 1924 Yekaterinburg was renamed. The Soviet name of the city sounded like Sverdlovsk and existed until 1991. Before the outbreak of World War II, the city developed rapidly, and new educational and cultural institutions, as well as large industrial enterprises, were opened there. In subsequent years, all this potential served the cause of victory over fascism and in restoring the destroyed economy of the Soviet Union. In the post-war decades, the development of Yekaterinburg continued at a rapid pace, and by the beginning of the collapse of the USSR it was a prosperous city with a developed industry.
21st century
The perestroika years and the "dashing 90s" did not have the best effect on the economy of Yekaterinburg. In particular, many industrial enterprises were closed. However, since the early 2000s, the situation has changed, and today the city continues to experience economic growth. At the moment, a variety of political, cultural and entertainment events are held in Yekaterinburg. For example, the Love Story project was recently launched. Yekaterinburg also often becomes a venue for sporting events, and its sights attract tourists, including from abroad.
Now you know what the history of Yekaterinburg was like. There are also many interesting places for children, so visit this city with the whole family as soon as possible.
