Mukhina M.V.

Forms of political participation of peasants in Kaluga Governorate during the elections to the Constituent Assembly in 1917. Pp. 31–36.

UDC 94(470.318)”1917″

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2024.85.4.003

 

Abstract. The article examines the forms of political participation of peasants in the Kaluga Governorate in the period from the publication of the Provisional Government’s program to the announcement of the results of the election to the All-Russian Constituent Assembly (March-December 1917). This aspect is scarcely studied both at the regional and all-Russian level. For a long time, peasants could only influence the resolution of local
issues, acting predominantly through traditional communal methods. After the publication of the program of the Provisional Government, which included the extension of political rights to all citizens of the state, peasants got the opportunity to seek a solution to their land issues in new ways. The article analyzes unpublished materials from the records of county and district commissions for the elections to the All-Russian Constituent Assembly, citizens’ complaints about violations during the elections, published documents of peasant organizations in the province, reports of local authorities, and newspaper articles. It lists the following forms of political participation of peasants characteristic of the period: collective appeals to the authorities, participation in peasant congresses of different levels, in the activities of the Soviets of Peasant Deputies, in elections as candidates and voters, work in district election commissions (as secretaries, ordinary members and chairmen), and individual complaints of peasants to the authorities. Along with the above forms of influence on the authorities, traditional methods of decision-making at peasant gatherings were preserved. Kaluga peasants showed interest in participating in the election campaign for the All-Russian Constituent Assembly and became the most active category of voters in the province.

 

Keywords: Provisional Government, Kaluga Governorate, peasants, district commission, Constituent Assembly.

 

 

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