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The article examines the results of the drinking reform of 1894–1914, its impact on the national sobriety and morality. The main aspects of the internal policy of the state in 1914–1917, aimed at combating popular drunkenness, are analyzed.
The drinking reform undertaken by the Minister of Finance of Russian Empire S.Y. Witte in 1894 to streamline the activities of the alcohol market and improve the morals and welfare of the population did not bring impressive results. In 1914, by the Highest order of Emperor Nicholas II, officials of the Excise Department of the Main Directorate of Non-payment Fees and state Sale of drinks, governors, police and zemstvo were given serious powers to combat popular drunkenness.
Later, with the outbreak of the First World War, a «dry law» was introduced, which marked the end of the wine monopoly in the Russian Empire. The restriction of the official sale of alcohol, despite all the measures taken, provoked a huge increase in secret distilling and the production of counterfeit alcohol.
Based on the conducted research, the author concludes that the goal of complete sobering up of the population, by tightening the anti-alcohol policy in 1914–1917, was not fully achieved.
Keywords:Excise department, wine monopoly, people's sobriety, drunkenness, «dry law», drinking reform, Guardianship of people's sobriety, tavern, state wine shop, Ufa province
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