Temperance societies in Tobolsk province and Akmolinsk region of Russia (1890s- early 1910s.)

The articles presents a review on the temperance societies operating in late 1910 - early 1911 in Tobolsk province and Akmolinsk region(modern territory of Kurgan, Omsk and Tyumen regions of Russia and Akmolinsk, Karaganda and North-Kazakhstan regions of Kazakhstan). Briefinformation about the societies activity from the early 1890s to 1914. The study is based on the reports of the spiritual consistories, records and regulationsof the societies, articles from the journal "Vestnik trezvosti" (Sobriety Herald) and also reference books by temperance movement personalitiesN.I. Grigoriev and I.P. Mordvinov. The data are sorted under questionnaire-card. The results are as follow. By December 1910 - January 1911there were 28 temperance societies in the region numbering about 1300 members. The majority of them 26 (92,8%) located in the villages and onlytwo (7,2%) were in the towns of Omsk and Tobolsk. 24 village societies were in forest-steppe region in the seven most populous districts (uyezd) inthe south, where the most of the population were orthodox Russians. (Ishimsky, Kurgansky, Tyukalinsky, Tyumensky, Jalutorovsky, Omsky,Petropavlovsky uyezds).Only two societies were situated further north in Tarsky and Tobolsky uyezds. All these societies belonged to the church, i.e.acted at the orthodox cathedrals. All of the 5 known leaders were priests. In 26 (92,8%) out of 28 settlements with the societies the most of the parishwere peasants; in the Omsk railway station those were railway officers and workers and also Kazaks from Atamansky settlement. The pioneers andleaders of the societies were, as a rule, priests, the bigger part of the members were Russian peasants-old-timers and new comers from Russian andUkrainian provinces of the European part of Russia.22 societies (78,6%) accepted sobriety seal from its members, in 21 (75%) they held anti-alcohol sermons and discussions. Alongsidewith it, the societies in Omsk and the village of Baidarskoe, Kurgansky uyezd distributed literature and organized readings. Baidarskoe societyhad a library, reading room at the school and organized festivals for schoolchildren and adults. Participation in temperance society inspired people to live joyfully and follow Christian commandments. It made people sober and led to a higher moral educational and culturallevel. The activity of the societies helped to diminish poverty and increase people's welfare. Their influence went far beyond church parish.Public opinion was inclined towards the negative attitude to heavy drinking and many people took the road of sober and fair living. Temperancesocieties were a natural self-defense instrument of the society from the destructive alcohol policy and traditions. They improved thesituation in Siberian and Kazakhstan villages and towns making it more sober and healthier. Their experience should be used in modern Russiato overcome alcohol disaster today.

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