Mamoian S. Reforms of the financial system in the second half of the 19th – at the beginning of the 20th century in the Russian Empire: historiography

The object of historiographic generalization is the main groups of historiographic sources on the history of reforms of the financial system, accumulated both in the pre-Soviet, Soviet, and modern historiographic periods.The subject of the research is the process of formation and augmentation of scientific knowledge about the reforms of the financial system that took place in the second half of the XIX - early XX centuries in the Russian Empire. Purpose of the work is to carry out a comprehensive analysis of the main periods, features and trends in the development of scientific works devoted to the reform of the financial system of the Russian Empire in the second half of the XIX – early XX century. Results of the study: the thesis generalizes the process of formation of historical knowledge about the development and discussion, the peculiarities of implementation of the financial reforms in the second half of the 19th – at the beginning of the 20th century in the Russian Empire and its societal consequences. This is a generalized historiographical study of the sectors of a banking and credit, budget, cash and financial control, the monetary sector as integral components of the financial system. A new approach to the understanding of the reforms is substantiated, according to which they should not be identified only in the early 1860s, as they were only initiated at that time and lasted until the early 20th century. It is proved that a narrowed approach to the understanding of the financial reforms introduced by Soviet historians, such as the focus on one key date «the financial reform of 1860», starting only from the banking one, hindered a comprehensive study and a system and complex approach, did not contribute to a considerable research of reform measures related to the financial system of the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th – at the beginning of the 20th century in general. The components of each of the key reforms of the financial system are identified separately. It is shown that the reforms of the financial system in the second half of the 19th – at the beginning of the 20th century in the Russian Empire are quite fully covered during three historical periods: pre-Soviet (the second half of the 19th century – 1921), Soviet (1920s – 1980s) and modern (from the early 1990s to the present). It is proved that historical and historiographical periodization do not coincide, because historiographical one is both limited and at the same time caused by the introduction of studies devoted to certain topics. The latest various sources, which have not been subjected to a historiographical analysis and synthesis, are considered, and their significance for rethinking the assessments of the outlined reforms is shown. The thesis highlights issues that are perspective for further fruitful research. Scope of use: the results of this study can be used in the preparation of generalizing studies on the development of historiography, in the development of lectures, practical classes from special courses both in the history of Ukraine and the Russian Empire for students of higher educational institutions, students of secondary educational institutions.