Food issue solution during World War I in the period from August 1914 to February 1917 (based on the materials of Vladimir Province)

The article, prepared in line with regional history, examines the measures taken by the authorities to resolve the food issue in the period from August 1914 to February 1917 based on the materials of Vladimir Province. Analysis of documents obtained from the State archive of Vladimir Region shows that already in August 1914, the issue of establishing taxes on essential products was raised. In the 1st half of 1915, economic support began for households that had lost their workers due to mobilisation. A landmark moment was the establishment of firm prices under the law of August 17, 1915; however, the results of the adopted law are difficult to call unambiguous. It was not possible to organise a coordinated purchase of food for the army and the rear with the involvement of the resources of the state apparatus and cooperation, the overload of railway transport and inconsistency of management affected. In the 1st half of 1916, the provincial Commissioner for Food collected information about markets for the purchase of food and the possibilities of supplying the province by waterway as part of summer navigation. The adoption of the “law on meat days” disrupted the functioning of local meat markets. At the beginning of 1917, due to the instability of bread prices and the increasing cases of speculation, the authorities also found it difficult to organise public grain stocks.