During the tumultuous years following the Russian Revolution, the power of the communist regime rapidly spread as far as Baku. In 1920, nationalisation was the beginning of the end for Branobel. Emanuel Nobel stated that “Nationalisation is a beautiful word for a very ugly thing.” But international companies soon started doing business with the new owners.
In the summer of 1896, the Russian imperial couple, Nicholas and Alexandra's coronation is celebrated with magnificent festivities, including an exhibition at which Branobel is represented. But the coronation party is surrounded by dramatic events.
At the end of the First World War, the position in the southern Caucasus was complicated by many interested parties around the oil fields: Turks, Englishmen, Germans, Russian Bolsheviks and also severe antagonism between Armenians and Tatars (Mohammedans). In February 1917, the Tsar abdicates and, in June 1918, the Soviet Regime nationalises all private property.
As early as the 15th century, Baku was an important international trading centre for merchants travelling between the East and Europe. Caravans of camels and merchant ships transported oil, salt, madder and saffron. In the 19th century, the rapid growth of the oil industry caused a total modernization. By the turn of the 20th century, Baku was one of the biggest industrial cities of the world.
Jabi Bahramov is Dr. of Philosophy in History and Assistant Read more >
Branobel showcased the company and its activities at Russian industrial exhibitions. In 1896, the last one was held in Nizhny Novgorod. The company’s pavilion was specially designed in a “Mauritanian” style, containing, among other things, a huge panorama over Baku’s oil field.
Following Ludvig Nobel’s death, his sons Karl and Emanuel, who in practical matters had always been guided by their father, continued to succeed in transforming innovations in science and technology into effective, practical applications in production.
In 1970, 90 years after the foundation of the company and 50 years after its nationalisation, the end finally came. The remains of the huge oil empire had been managed, and reasonably protected, through two major wars. Ultimately, there were still assets worth close to SEK one billion.
Anatolij Fjodorovitj Sergejev is a Licentiate of Economics, professor and Read more >
The Nobel Brothers’ Branobel had storage depots in virtually all the major cities of the Russian empire. The local offices had several important duties, mainly to keep the company management in St. Petersburg informed of all outgoing and incoming production through reports and other documents. The regional office in Moscow played a key role and was successfully managed by Knut Stepanovich Littorin.
