NADEZHDA electronic file.compressed-ilovepdf-compressed

ecommended that they were built on the Izh river, from which
Izhevsk takes its name. The construction of the ironworks and
a surrounding settlement began in 1760, and already by 1763
the plant was yielding its first output. During Pugachev’s Rebellion
the plant was taken over and burned to the ground. It was
rebuilt but, lacking major orders, was gradually abandoned. In
NADEZHDA/HOPE НАДЕЖДА
ed, the infrastructure developed as well. In the postwar period,
Izhevsk completely retained its significance as a leading center
for the production of firearms, and in 1966, the city became one
of the major automobile producers in the Soviet Union. In 1984,
Izhevsk was renamed Ustinov but in 1987, after the citizens’
protests its historical name was reinstated. The city’s largest
1807, a new weaponry factory appeared in its place. The enter-
buildings constructed in the post-Soviet era are the restored St.
prise expended intensively, as the entire production of firearms
Michael’s Cathedral, the new circus arena, and the remodeled
in Russia was done at only three factories: in Izhevsk, Tula and
embankment along Izhevsk pond.
Sestroretsk. Because the Tula and Sestroretsk factories received
gun barrels from Izhevsk, many historians consider the Izhevsk
NIZHNY NOVGOROD
factory to be the only full-fledged firearms factory in the Rus-
The city was founded in 1221 as a fortress on the border with
sian Empire. In the 1870s and 1880s, steelmaking and rolling
Volga Bulgaria. It was taken over and burned several times
mills were built in Izhevsk, after which the steelworks were
by Tatars in the 13th and 14th centuries. In the 1440s, it be-
turned into their own factory. During those years, the residen-
came part of the rapidly growing principality of Moscow as
tial settlement was officially considered part of the enterprise.
a central position of defence against the Nogai Horde and
The settlement of Izhevsk was legally recognized in 1867.
Kazan Tatars. From 1500 to 1518, a stone kremlin was built
Then in 1918, the Soviet authorities gave it the status of a city.
in the city, and it never succumbed to enemy forces. Af-
During the Russian Civil War, the city changed hands many
ter Kazan was absorbed by the tsardom of Russia, Nizhny
times, and because of this the enterprise was partially relocat-
Novgorod lost its military significance and began to develop
ed to other industrial centers and partially destroyed. In 1921,
primarily as a trade and artisanal hub. Its growth as a trade
Izhevsk became the administrative center of the Votskiy region
hub became especially after 1817, when Makarievskaya Fair,
and then, in 1934, the capital of the Udmurt Autonomous Sovi-
one of the largest seasonal markets of 19th-century Russia,
et Socialist Republic. This led to the appearance of a number of
was moved there.
administrative buildings for the regional government. In 1929,
In the early 18th century, the city became the adminis-
a motorcycle factory was built. In 1935, a tram transportation
trative center of a province and later a governorship. This led
system was opened. Also the philharmonic, a teachers’ institute,
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to the construction of a number of administrative buildings
a local circus and a theater were founded. Izhevsk’s population
to accommodate the officials. In 1834, the city was visited by
grew rapidly, from about 40,000 in 1917 to 176,000 in 1939.
Nicholas I, after which it underwent a major remodeling. The
During World War II, several large factories were relo-
kremlin was relieved of its private landholdings, upon which
cated to the city. However, while its defense industry expand-
new administrative buildings were constructed. A plumbing