DEVELOPMENT OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP IN THE XVIII CENTURY
The eighteenth century is a borderline, transitional century, the real beginning of a new period in Russian history. Peter's reforms and the enlightened despotism of Catherine II, which supplemented them, had very long-term consequences in the state system, economy, and mentality of the country. These reforms also had a significant impact on the degree of economic freedom of Russians, on their entrepreneurial activity, and on the position of the third estate in Russia. The article tells about the development of entrepreneurial activity in Russia in the 18th century, the first laws regulating trade, trade routes, merchants, succession, the abolition of serfdom and the development of industry and trade.