  karandashev-gv-vestnik-2026-2.pdf |
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- Rural hooliganism in the Russian province in the early 20th century: social practices and everyday life
- Karandashev G.V. Rural hooliganism in the Russian province in the early 20th century: social practices and everyday life. Vestnik of Kostroma State University, 2026, vol. 32, no. 2, pp. 7–12. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.34216/1998-0817-2026-32-2-7-12
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.34216/1998-0817-2026-32-2-7-12
- УДК: 94(470.316)”1912/1913”
- EDN: WKFFAE
- Publish date: 2026-04-15
- Annotation: The study, based on Yaroslavl Province, examines the problem of hooliganism in the Russian countryside in the early 20th century. Based on the analysis of unpublished business documents and materials from the regional press, it is concluded that rural hooliganism was once the scourge of the Russian countryside and a part of everyday village life. Swearing, vandalism, beating of random passers-by, and mass fights, combined with drunkenness, significantly reduced the quality of life and safety of the local population. The authorities were unable to protect the peasants from this evil, and they were forced to either give in to the bullies out of fear of arson or physical violence, or to defend themselves on their own, which from time to time led to mob law enforcement. In 1912–1913, discussions were held in the district and provincial zemstvos of Yaroslavl Province on the issue of combating the development of rural hooliganism. In order to reduce this phenomenon, it was proposed to strengthen the fight against drunkenness, develop education, and promote local self-government. A resolution was passed by the governor, urging the government to pass bills on the speedy trial and sentencing of cases of hooliganism, as well as the abolition of administrative exile of unreliable individuals from the capital to the countryside. All the recommendations were sent to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, but the article on punishment for hooliganism would only be included in the legislation during the Soviet era.
- Keywords: Russian Empire, Yaroslavl Province, everyday life, rural life, hooliganism, crime, vandalism.
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