Capital and Provinces: the Vision of Children of the Lower Ranks in the Era of the First World War

Relevance. When writing the article, a vast layer of historical sources was used, from materials from periodicals to primary documents deposited in the central archives of Moscow and St. Petersburg, as well as in the archives of the Central Black Earth Region (Voronezh, Kursk). The author draws on information from other regions of the Russian Empire. The purpose of the study was to study the social security of soldiers' families in accordance with the law "On the care of lower military ranks and their families", adopted on June 25, 1912. The objectives to analyze the implementation by state bodies and individuals of issues related to the care of children of the lower ranks of the Russian Imperial. Methodology. The methodological basis of the research is general scientific (analysis, synthesis, generalization) and special historical methods (systemic and comparative historical method). Results. The law clearly prescribed the rules for the issuance of the so-called. food ration for one person to be brought in, highlighting children under 5 years of age. They could receive only half of the allowance established for "adults": wives, parents, brothers and sisters of a soldier called up for mobilization, as well as his children over 5 years old. According to the law, soldiers' children could count on the help of the state until the age of working age (17 years), but some regions interpreted this clause of the current legislation in their own way. Also, the law did not provide for assistance to children born out of wedlock. This circumstance put the authorities in a difficult position, especially at the initial stage of the war. Conclusions. The author believes that initially the state was not ready to support certain categories of needy relatives of lower ranks, first of all, this concerned children born out of wedlock, but with the help of the initiative of local authorities, the help of the church and public organizations, this difficulty was overcome.