State of development of trade and transport in Bessarabia during the First World War

Abstract

The First World War greatly influenced trade and transport, changed both the pricing methodology and economic theory in general. It is very interesting to trace this influence within a particular region, for example, in the Bessarabian province. The purpose of the article is to study the state of development of trade and transport in the Bessarabian province during the First World War. The author has involved a wide range of sources, including periodicals, as well as a number of previously unpublished files of the Central State Archives of the Supreme Authorities and Administration of Ukraine, the municipal institution «Izmail Archive», and the National Archives of the Republic of Moldova. It was established that during the First World War in the Bessarabian province, trade in products necessary to meet the needs of the army and navy received a certain development. The region was a front-line territory, therefore, during the war years, the transport infrastructure here significantly improved. The construction of new railways began in Bessarabia. For 1914 – 1917 On the territory of the region, 400 versts of new railway lines, 350 versts of second tracks and 200 versts of narrow-gauge military field railways were laid. The Reni port was equipped, ship repair workshops were built and reconstructed in Kiliya and Bendery. At the mouth of the Danube in 1915 – 1917 the Potapov Canal was built, which allowed sea steamers and ships with deep draft to enter the Danube ports.