The presentation of the economic history of Russia-Russia is built in two dimensions: chronological and by type of economic activity. The oldest era before the X century is covered, the specific period and the economy of the Moscow state of the XVI-XVII centuries, XVIII centuries. - the activities of Peter I and his successors. The evolution of forms of land ownership, the development of crafts, crafts and industry, and monetary circulation are analyzed. Particular attention is paid to the growth of cities and the development of urban life. A large place is given to the development of foreign and domestic trade. The author throughout the study resorts to a comparative method, constantly comparing Russian facts with similar European ones. The main idea of ​ ​ the author in this regard is that the Western economy and the Russian economy are developing, although with peculiarities, but according to uniform laws.