“The Blood of the Economy” in the Era of Bloodshed: Monetary Improvisation in the Arkhangelsk Province in 1914–1920

Abstract

Using the case of the Arkhangelsk province, this article explores one aspect of state-building during the Russian Civil War, using the history of the circulation of money. The state financial system was destroyed during the Revolution and was restored several times to ensure the functioning of various political regimes. The Arkhangelsk Province, where power changed hands several times from 1917 to 1920, power changed hands reflects processes common to the whole country and unique to the region. During the First World War, there was a significant increase in the role of money in the daily life of the population. The border location of the province meant that in 1917, money was exported abroad by individuals through its territory. This led to a cash crisis in the province. The authorities were forced to take a series of emergency measures, including issuing their own money that was in use only in this province. During the Civil War, the monetary system was again restored under the peculiar conditions of a quasi-state in a condition of military-political and financial-economic dependence on foreign powers. This “history of money” is a background for events of a political, economic, and cultural nature that demonstrates the particular significance of the money during crucial periods of history.