Military settlements existed in Russia in the first half of the nineteenth century. They are considered to be the brainchild of Count Arakcheev. This was a special way of organizing a regular army, when the military personnel had to combine army service with farming and other productive work.
Instructions
Step 1
By the middle of the reign of Alexander I, there was a need to reform the Russian army. The formation of the army on the basis of recruitment sets has outlived its usefulness. At the same time, the treasury could not increase funds for hired units. The emperor needed soldiers who knew the craft of war and who could be quickly assembled at the right time. But in peacetime, these soldiers had to provide for themselves. This was the main idea of the military settlement system. It was assumed that there would be free funds that could be used to free the peasants without prejudice to the interests of the landlords.
Step 2
The first to appear was a settlement in the Mogilev province, where the Yeletsky musketeer regiment was stationed. The local population had to free their homes for the military, and move to other provinces, mainly to the south of the country. But the idea was not implemented. The creation of the settlement began in 1810, and two years later the war with Napoleon began.
Step 3
The active creation of military settlements began only in 1825, during the reign of Nicholas I. Settlements appeared in places of permanent deployment of military units, mainly on state lands. Infantry units were located in the north and west of the country, cavalry - in the southern provinces.
Step 4
The advantage of the new system of organization was that the lower army ranks could live with their families, teach children in schools that were open specially for this, and study military science. Unmarried soldiers were allowed to marry peasant women from estates owned by the treasury, while the state allocated a fairly large amount for setting up an economy. There should be no private property within the boundaries of the settlements. The lands were bought from landlords.
Step 5
The system of military settlements had a clear structure. The chief chief was Count A. A. Arakcheev. Under him, a headquarters for military settlements was created, and an economic committee was created for managing the economy. In the field, divisional headquarters were in charge of military settlements. The settlement itself consisted of several dozen identical houses. Houses were placed in one line. Four families lived in each house. Two families occupied half of the house, they shared a common household. The non-commissioned officer's family occupied half of the house. In the settlement there was a square where there was a chapel, a school for soldiers' children (cantonists), guard rooms, and guards. The fire brigade was also located there. Workshops were located near the square. On the opposite side of the only street was a boulevard, which was only walked on. There were outbuildings near the houses.
Step 6
Life in military settlements was strictly regulated. Even household items were regulated by the rules. The slightest violation was punishable by physical punishment. The villagers were constantly under the supervision of their superiors, including during work and rest. Not only was the soldier's service difficult, but also the officer's. From the officers were required not only knowledge of military science, but also the ability to manage agriculture.
Step 7
In the military settlements, riots broke out several times. This form of army organization turned out to be ineffective, which was manifested in the middle of the last century. YES. Stolypin, who inspected the southern provinces immediately after the Crimean War, reported that the economy of the settlements had completely fallen into decay. Criticized the settlements and the military who were rebuilding the army.
