48 
their construction. However, naval construction still retained priority. 
Prior to World War II, a program for shipyard restoration, primarily 
for naval construction, was initiated and a number of new major 
shipyards were built. 
In the mid-1950’s, a significant change in the allocation of shipbuild- 
ing capacities resulted from the introduction of nuclear submarine 
construction and the termination of the construction of a large series 
of cruisers and conventional destroyers. Until that time, the develop- 
ment of the Soviet merchant marine was dictated mainly by the inter- 
nal economic needs and demands of Soviet foreign trade, which were 
not substantial. However, the allocation of more facilities for commer- 
cial shipbuilding, together with increased orders abroad, brought about 
the rapid development of the Soviet merchant marine. Thus, 
throughout Russia and the first half of Soviet history, naval construc- 
tion dominated the shipbuilding industry until the redirection of build- 
ing programs freed some shipyards for commercial construction. 
Continuing policy interest has also been evinced in the areas of 
fishing, river transport, oceanography, and the Northern Sea Route. 
In addition to its fishing industry, prerevolutionary Russia had a fairly 
well developed inland water transport system necessitated by its vast 
territory and poorly developed land transportation. Russian oceano- 
graphic expeditions date as far back as the reign of Peter the Great 
(1725). The economic and strategic value of the Arctic region was 
recognized by the Russian Government and by its Soviet successor, 
which reiterated the Russian claim to the territories. 
Throughout history, the Russian and subsequent Soviet Government 
has actively pursued an interest in maritime power and development. 
However, more urgent political and economic demands often assumed 
priority over oceans policy objectives. And, maritime improvements 
required the achievement of a certain minimum level of marine 
technology, which was often absent. Faced with a choice of the 
security and development of the homeland or extension of their 
power to the Seven Seas, they usually chose he former. This is not 
to say that they did not continuously prefer both. 
THE HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF THE NAvy 
The extensive Russian naval history which dates back more than 
a thousand years was initiated with a drive to have access to the 
open sea. Impetus for naval construction was provided during the 
reign of Peter the Great (1672-1725). The year 1696 witnessed the 
creation of the basic Russian Navy. Extensive ship construction along 
with the construction of fleet bases was initiated. In his drive to 
secure a “window into Europe,” Peter the Great opened access to 
the Baltic Sea. The development of the Russian Navy after the death | 
of Peter the Great in 1725 depended to a large degree upon each 
ruler’s attitude toward it. Its fortunes fluctuated, but in general the 
navy was an important element of Russian military power up to the 
Revolution. 
The first half of the 19th century witnessed the beginning of a 
gradual replacement of sailing ships by steamships, a process which 
in Russia was delayed by technological backwardness. After its defeat 
in the Crimean War (1854-55) by the vastly superior British-French 
