Vologda Congress of Political Exiles in 1907: Local Authorities and Self-Organization of the Revolutionaries

The article analyzes the problem of relationships among local administrators who discussed the issue of political exiles in Vologda Governorate. The author studies the situation (unique in many respects) that occurred in Vologda Governorate in the fall of 1907. A. Khvostov, the local governor, authorized the congress of political exile delegates without notifying V. Lamzin, head of the Governorate Gendarme Department, of his decision. The situation considered in the article is placed in the context of the history of social self-organization immediately after the First Russian Revolution (1905–07). That period was marked by increased attention to public assemblies and associations while the new mechanisms for their registration and operation hindered their legal activities. The article shows how the decision of one administrator influenced the scope of activity of another one, depriving the latter of the opportunity to perform part of his functions. The author analyzes the correspondence of Khvostov and Lamzim with the Police Department. It sheds light on different contradictory ways to explain and conceptualize the self-organization of political exiles as well as the ways to fight against radicalization of revolutionaries. Contextualizing the conflict between the governor and the head of the Governorate Gendarme Department, the author of the article draws attention to the fact that the contradictions were not unique to a specific case but had a general systemic nature. The author notes the connection between the conflict and the lack of material resources to supply political exiles and to staff the police and gendarmerie. In addition, one of the most important reasons for the conflict was the coincidence of the spheres of influence of the two administrators while they were responsible for different areas.

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