Introduction:

Dmitrij Ivanovič Mendeleev (1834-1907), the world-renowned chemist and inventor of the period table of elements, was a passionate supporter of protectionism, not only in theory but also in practice. A key figure behind the development of the 1891 tariff in Russia, Mendeleev promoted protectionist ideas in many of his economic and political writings, and campaigned actively for the translation of such sentiment into concrete policies. He also directly acknowledged the influence of German political economy on his policy-related views, a parallel between the historical situations of Germany and Russia being clearly articulated in Mendeleev’s general economic vision. This short chapter chronicles the influence of some specific German ideas and experiences on Mendeleev’s work, in particular the debates and circumstances surrounding the 1891 tariff. It also suggests how Mendeleev’s protectionism led at least in part to the outbreak of a damaging trade war between Russia and (ironically) Germany, a conflict that started in 1893 and was eventually resolved through careful negotiations.