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The 1831 Сholera Riots in Staraia Russa
The role of the townspeople of Staraia Russa, the district capital of Novgorod province and from 1825 the centre of military colonies, in two cholera riots in 1831 has received little attention. The article analyses the actions and trial of 139 persons The previously unexplored documents of the military investigation commission (accusations, testimonies of victims, witnesses) show that there were triggers unpopular measures against cholera and general dissatisfaction of merchants and meshchane with the attitude of urban police towards them, billeting, and other duties. A hypothesis has been made, that in the 1810s 20s scepticism grew towards authorities: townspeople had some expectations, possible correlated with the growth of their involvement in state business, notably with the contributions they made and the losses they suffered during the politically and economically challenging period of the wars, 1806-14.
The participation of the townspeople of Staraiia Russa, the largest district capital of a Russa, the largest district capital of Novgorod province and after 1825 centre of military colonies, in two cholera riots in 1831, Novgorod province and after 1825 centre of military colonies, in two cholera riots in 1831, and the trial that followed, have not been studied before now. Merchants, and the trial that followed, have not been studied before now. Merchants, meshchane meshchane (middle(middle-- and lowerand lower--income),income),1 and the council and the council were involved in the violent riots owere involved in the violent riots on 11n 11--12 July. The first 12 July. The first section of this article describes the problem, sources, and methodology used; the second section of this article describes the problem, sources, and methodology used; the second outlines the actions of the rioting townspeople. In the third part the position of the authorities, outlines the actions of the rioting townspeople. In the third part the position of the authorities, the attitudes demonstrated by the military the attitudes demonstrated by the military Commission, are analysed: the investigation into Commission, are analysed: the investigation into the actions of 139 persons, trial, and punishment.the actions of 139 persons, trial, and punishment.2 The fourth scrutinises the role of the urban The fourth scrutinises the role of the urban elite elite ---- merchants of the council merchants of the council ---- in the riot. The fifth part examines specific reasons, in the riot. The fifth part examines specific reasons, personal and common, for dissatisfaction among the townspeople regarding the authorities. personal and common, for dissatisfaction among the townspeople regarding the authorities. The last section explores theThe last section explores the broader views of the townspeople regarding the authorities in broader views of the townspeople regarding the authorities in the the postpost--warwar period; it sets the Staraia Russa riots in context, and offers a hypothesis, period; it sets the Staraia Russa riots in context, and offers a hypothesis, showing how the attitudes of the people changed, and what the reasons for this could be. showing how the attitudes of the people changed, and what the reasons for this could be.