18. A)Scan the text: Merchants’ Khabarovsk

Before the October Revolution of 1917 Khabarovsk was known as the city of merchants. The favorable geographical position of military post Khabarovka at the crossroads of waterways of the Amur River contributed to its transformation into a great center of trade. In 1864 11 merchants were numbered among not numerous inhabitants of Khabarovka. In the 19^th century in the Far East it was possible to observe trade in all stages of its development, since primitive exchange forms and finishing magnificent European shops which satisfied whimsical and refined taste of buyers.

Activities of separate trading companies of Priamurye and Primorye shows that provincial Russia possessed talented, widely conceiving, competent people whose abilities and an extensive knowledge were devoted to the decision of social and economic problems of the Far East. Possessing million fortunes, conducting large business, the merchant class was very sympathetic for social needs and endowed the large sums to schools, hospitals, churches, road construction and other useful projects. Many merchants took part in the city self-management. The merchant class and average bourgeoisie played an important role in the development of economy and culture in the Far East of Russia.

b) Explain the role of merchants in the development of the Far Eastern economy.