Organization of administrative districts in the European North of Russia in 1861

Abstract

The paper deals with the analysis of the organization of administrative districts in the Uyezds of the Vologda and Olonets provinces inhabited by landowner peasants. The source base of the study was made up of office materials identified in the funds of the Russian State Historical Archive. Consideration of the stated problem was carried out from the position of "center – periphery", i.e. within the framework of studying the interaction of the government with the provincial authorities. The study showed that the process of forming administrative districts in the Uyezds of residence of landowner peasants was completed by the end of June, and the approval of conciliators in them – in early August 1861. Almost all of them were located in the territories of concentration of the majority of serfs. Realizing the task, the governors faced the problem of uneven settlement of serfs and the predominance of small-scale landlords. In solving it, they tried to unite the villages of temporarily obligated peasants so that the Uyezd officials could perform their duties without unnecessary difficulties, and so that significant expenses for their maintenance were not required. The local authorities argued their point of view in front of government agencies. In turn, the Ministry supported their vision regarding the most effective structure of the administrative districts.