«Сундуков закрывать не приходится по случаю частой смены грабящих…». Власти и население Элистинского уезда в годы Гражданской войны

Abstract

The paper publishes the minutes of the 3rd Congress of Soviets of Elistinsky Uyezd – the chief government authority of the uyezd – which is a precious source on the history of the Russian Civil War in the western part of Astrakhan Governorate. It contains data on the formation and activities of the uyezd power structures, relations between the latter and local population, local policies of the Communist party. The included reports attest to complicated relations between local authorities and population – and the Red Army units stationed in the uyezd. Local inhabitants would complain that Red Army soldiers wallowed in violence and robbery, and local authorities would complain the military persistently ignored them as such. The minutes also mention certain separatist trends within Elistinsky Uyezd that, as is known, had been established through detachment from Chernoyarsky Uyezd in 1918 without prior permission. The text outlines the history of its establishment and gradual recognition by authorities of Astrakhan Governorate. Of certain interest are messages about internal tensions manifested in hidden struggles between appointed Astrakhan and Stavropol managers, on the one hand, – and local and appointed cadres, on the other hand. So, the published document provides a comprehensive insight into socio-economic, cultural and educational conditions of Elistinsky Uyezd during the Russian Civil War.