Regulation of trade and supply by the government of general Denikin during the Russian Civil War

Abstract

The article examines the little-studied problem of state regulation of trade and supply in the territory of the South of Russia in historical and legal science. It is revealed that until the summer of 1919, the Denikin government regulated the commodity distribution sphere based on pre-revolutionary legislation on the grain monopoly and the distribution of grain and fodder in the provinces. In the summer, the legislator abolished the grain monopoly, but introduced compulsory military service for the supply of food and fodder to the army. It is established that the government's hopes for the procurement of agricultural products through cooperatives did not justify themselves due to unsuccessful administration to establish low and unprofitable purchase prices for peasants at a high cost of the industrial goods they need, as well as due to delays in payment for the deliveries made and unsatisfactory organization of commercial transportation. It is revealed that the involvement of large private traders and firms in the supply of grain and fodder after the abolition of the grain monopoly led to the corruption of the state apparatus, rampant speculation and the formation of a black market, which the government failed to cope with, despite the adoption of a rather harsh law on speculation. It is stated that the legislative and administrative activities of the government in the field of trade and supply were not able to provide the army with food, fodder and equipment. Because of which the commanders of the units were forced, in violation of the law, to engage in self-sufficiency of their troops by conducting requisitions that caused outrage among peasants or exchanging captured trophies for food.