Base military settlements began in the 1810-12 years.Then, in the Mogilev province, Emperor Alexander I tried to settle the reserve battalion of the infantry regiment Eletski.However, to make this the king could not - interrupted by the war.
economic situation in Russia after the military action was very difficult.The area where the battle took place, were destroyed, and the financial system of the state was experiencing a deep crisis.The situation in the country demanded decisive action.Assessing the situation, Alexander I re-taken for the establishment of military settlements.
The new system was intended mainly to reduce the cost of maintaining the army.In addition, the question of the elimination of conscription during peacetime, caused discontent on the part of farmers and by the landlords, who have been deprived of hands.Thus, to solve at least some of the problems it was decided to start to form military settlements.
Questions about the new reforms were solved in a very narrow circle, which included Alexander himself first, and Arakcheev, Yermolov, Sambursky and Witt.It should be noted that the introduction of the new system was carried out solely by practical acts of autocracy.However, no provisions or regulations on the settlement of the army was not made up, and transform themselves were made without discussion with authorities.
In practice, the military settlements further enslaves peasants.Freed (formally) from serfdom, they could not go to work, and to engage in fishing or trade.In addition, farmers had to carry the service.
first military settlements were organized in Novgorod province.In this area we lived state peasants.Their emperor was planning to transfer to the villagers.
Novgorod Province famous for its arable lands, there was the development of water and land communication.In addition, great importance was attached and the proximity of the capital.We were taken into account, along with this, and strategic considerations.
Military settlements formed in the Novgorod province, were led Arakcheeva.
In 1817, on April 18 in the parish began Vysotsky education first settlement battalion and uniforms of the peasants and the Grenadier Regiment of Count Arakcheev.Thus it was laid the foundation for the emergence of military settlements in the Novgorod province.
In 1817-18 he was the normative document drafted.Based on the "Institution of the military settlements" were formed first, lower controls: company and regimental committees.Subsequently began to form and the higher authorities.
military settlement changed the whole economic structure of the peasants.Of course, the new order met resistance of the masses.In addition, the peasants were deprived of all their relationships because of attachment to the land, they should also contain soldiers.The new system is strictly regulated all aspects of life.
costs on the formation of the military settlements were not provided.The state allocated a lump sum of fifty thousand rubles.Subsequently, the envisaged expenditure item in the budget.For legal income includes fees from the Cossacks.There were also hidden income.For example, the free cultivators, and landlords' specific peasants freed from recruiting if they are paid at two rubles to the soul of the 500 recruits.
contemporaries belonged to a military settlement is very ambiguous.On the formation of the negative opinion is influenced by several facts.In particular, contemporaries said about the closure of settlements, their isolation from the world.In addition, farmers, exhibit resistance to the new system have been subjected to cruel punishment.
However, the new system also had supporters.In particular, support for conversion received in the person of General Davydova, Marquis Pau, Governor Risch.Among the supporters of the military settlements and was Speransky.
