Moscow Municipal Self-Government during the First World War: Assistance to Soldiers, Their Families and the Civilian Population of Russia

The activities of Moscow’s municipal self-government bodies aimed at providing assistance to wounded soldiers, refugees and other civilians of Russia during the First World War were examined. The main measures undertaken by the city authorities to support the needy population and demonstrates the financial sources from which these measures were implemented were identified. Special emphasis was placed on social assistance provided to war-affected groups and individuals who found themselves in severe circumstances as a result of the war (for example, families of servicemen who had lost their principal breadwinners). A new historical source “On the Joint Meeting of the City Council and the Commission of Councilors on Measures Caused by the War” (from September 12 to October 19, 1916) was analyzed in detail and introduced into scholarly circulation. It is concluded that Moscow’s municipal self-government carried out extensive work in fulfilling its responsibilities, including receiving soldiers returning from the front and transporting them promptly to hospitals, organizing postal communication between Russian prisoners of war and their relatives, and assisting conscripts’ families (through the payment of allowances, employment of soldiers’ wives, etc.). Due to financial shortages, not all areas of social support could be maintained; this was particularly evident in the sphere of education (for example, the payment of scholarships). It is noted that the city received its primary funding from the state or from charitable organizations (as well as private donations), without which it would have been unable to perform its functions during the war.

EDN LWYMMZ

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