ПОВІТОВІ ТА ВОЛОСНІ ЗЕМСТВА УКРАЇНСЬКОЇ НАРОДНОЇ РЕСПУБЛІКИ ПІД ОКУПАЦІЄЮ БІЛЬШОВИЦЬКОЇ РОСІЇ

Abstract


 
 
 The consequences of Bolshevik Russia aggression into Ukraine in late 1917 - early 1918 for the volosne and district zemstvos of the Ukrainian People Republic (UPR) zemstvos are analysed. The UPR was proclaimed by the Central Council on 7 November 1917 in response to the violent takeover by the Bolsheviks in Petrograd. At its territories where Bolsheviks seized power they transferred power to the councils they controlled. Local governments – zemstvos – existing here – were regarded by them as incompatible with the objectives of the socialist revolution and establishing the dictatorship of the proletariat. Typically, the Bolsheviks eliminated zemstvos leaders from their positions, and dissolved rural assemblies. For some time they used the economic apparatus of zemstvos management. However, the "revolutionary expediency" very soon prevailed over common sense and zemstvos as local population authorities were eliminated.