In the autumn of 1905, the whole of Tambov Governorate was hit by peasant revolts. Peasants burned the estates of landlords, seized their land and cut down their forests. In all, between 1905 and 1907 over 300 estates were destroyed in the governorate. Kirsanov District stood out in terms of the scale and intensity of the peasant struggle even compared to the general atmosphere in the governorate. On October 30, 1905 heightened security regulations were introduced in Tambov province, and in December of the same year martial law was declared in Tambov and Kozlov. Troops occupied railway stations and the telegraph and the publication of opposition newspapers was suspended.
Mikhail Andreevich Boratynsky’s appeal to his peasants was written on November 11, 1905. This letter was apparently read out at a village assembly as the landlord’s response to the peasants’ petition to him.
Mikhail Andreevich Boratynsky’s appeal to his peasants was written on November 11, 1905. This letter was apparently read out at a village assembly as the landlord’s response to the peasants’ petition to him.
