Land Policy of the Russian Empire after the Abolition of Serfdom in 1861 and until 1906

Abstract

The implementation of the peasant reform of 1861 represented a fundamental step towards meeting the new round of development of the Russian Empire. However, as a result of this reform, a number of new issues and tasks have arisen, one of which is the order of land distribution among peasants. This article is devoted to the study of the policy of the agrarian course of the Russian Empire in the second half of the XIX century – after the grandiose reform of Emperor Alexander II on the abolition of serfdom. The authors of the article describe in detail the role of the peasant community in the life of peasants. The article examines in detail the legal order of land distribution among peasants, as well as the peasant community as a subject of land ownership. In addition, the role of the elders of the community in the distribution of land plots, as well as in the resolution of disputes between peasants, is considered. The key principles of the distribution and redistribution of the land fund, such as the principles of equality and equalizing justice, are also analyzed. Their advantages and disadvantages are investigated. The authors analyzed quotes from statesmen regarding their proposals on the abolition of the peasant community and the transition to the European capitalist system, in particular, the Head of the Third Department of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery, Count P.A. Shuvalov. At the same time, key obstacles to the implementation of these ideas were identified. The authors pay special attention to the issue of the ambiguity of the consequences of the rapid demographic growth of the population of the Russian Empire. The authors provided specific statistical data on the population in the period from 1858 to 1914, which showed a record increase in the population over the entire history of the state.