Bakhmut merchantry in the system of zemsky self-government and Donbass's economy modernization (XVIII- beg. XX cent.)

The role of the merchants of the largest county of the Russian Empire in the development and modernization of the economy of Donbass region is examined for the first time. Bakhmut merchants played a significant role in the trade of salt, vodka and agricultural products in the 18th century. Merchants’ capital helped to develop the wholesale trade fairs in Yekaterinoslavsk gubernia, so the county had the highest number of fairs. The building materials manufacturing, agro-processing, retail trade in stores were the founding spheres of merchants’ capital in the second part of the 19th century. A significant part of the merchant class and the Bakhmut county life was taken by Jews. The merchants were actively involved in the local government activities such as county rural convocation and the Bakhmut city Duma.