abolition of serfdom and receipt of personal freedom large part of the village demanded changes in the system of local governance.District council - is the answer of the state to the new trends in the development of society.
Why were created zemstvo?
During the entire existence of serfdom in Russia over a large part of the population of the state had no immediate custody in connection with the fact that the responsibility for all the dependent peasants lay on the shoulders of landowners.The owner of the estate have full authority over the peasants, it had to take measures to eliminate the disorder, discontent, to think about the improvement of the village.State intervention in this relationship was viewed as an exception.But after the peasant reform, the situation has changed dramatically.Millions of peasants received personal freedom and civil rights.They were severely limited, but nevertheless these former serfs had to educate the citizens of Russia.Before the state were important task of reconstructing society and governance.Zemstvo - this is not something new in the history of Russia.The king went the way of the revival of past experience, the establishment of local self-government era of Ivan the Terrible and his disastrous reforms.Create zemstvoes solve two problems at once.On the one hand, it is offset, at least partially, the loss of power of the nobility.On the other - to shift the solution of local problems and challenges of improvement on the shoulders of the representatives of all classes.
What is the district council?
Zemstvo - a non-estate representative local government bodies, by 1864 at the level of districts and provinces of the Russian Empire, where there were aristocratic estates.The representatives of the nobility and the citizens, the owners of real estate, chosen by direct vote.In the peasant curia held three-stage elections, which significantly reduced the number of their representatives in comparison, for example, with the nobles.Activities zemstvoes held at two levels: assignments (annual zemstvo assemblies) and executive (the council working on a permanent basis for a fee).
functions Zemstvos
From the beginning of the zemstvos entrenched economic tasks of the local improvement: the creation and maintenance of hospitals, schools, veterinary items, charity houses, as well as construction and repair of roads and the like.Funds for these purposes were extracted in the form of compulsory fees set by Zemsky assembly.That is on the ground decide for themselves how much money to collect and what they will go.In addition, the district council - is the beginning of the formation of Russia's so-called third-class, or third element.These are doctors, teachers, agronomists, played a significant role in the development of the Russian countryside, workers who have made a direct contribution to the development of civil society.
Provincial liberal movement
State, creating elected governments, immediately made it clear that the district council - is not a political authority.In order to avoid its transformation into such, they were prohibited communication between Zemstvos different provinces, not to mention the activities at the national level.Also, from time to time we introduced new censorship restrictions on reports of local governments.Finally, with the beginning of the reactionary policies of Alexander III and the suppression of revolutionary populism liberal members of the nobility through the zemstvos began legally and not to raise political issues.The main requirement was reduced to the adoption of a constitution that would guarantee political and civil rights of citizens of Russia.Among the other issues raised by the Liberals, can be distinguished requirements reduction of redemption payments, the abolition of the poll tax, the creation of the zemstvos on the level of counties and at the state level.Legal forms of struggle were petitions and addresses to the emperor.Illegally held the All-Russian congress, organized semi-circles.
"Zemstvo dinner"
In the second half of the nineteenth century, Russian artists are increasingly pulling back from the previously dominant academicism, trying to depict real life.One of these masters was the founder of the Association of the Wanderers Grigoriy Myasoyedov.His paintings primarily depicting the life of the peasants.In his works Grigory vividly responded to the transformation of the reform in Russia.The painting "Zemstvo dinner" - a direct confirmation.It shows zemstvo representatives of the peasantry, which is located directly on the ground, take a fairly simple and meager food.Representatives of the nobility and the merchant can not see, but there is a hint of their special situation.The window shows a waiter, wipe the dishes for a meal the representatives of the upper classes.The picture is simple but very profound.How to feel the peasants in joint meetings with the "masters"?Can they raise their voice in defense of its own interests?Is it easy for them to take time Zemsky affairs when farm house?Honestly answering these questions, we realize that the local government is completely under the influence of the nobility.
