Chagadaeva O.A. The Social and economic  consequences of the Russian  anti-alcohol campaign during  World War I

Abstract: The article presents a complex analysis of the anti-alcohol policy in the Russian state during the years of World War I. The author gives a general outline of the measures taken to combat alcoholism, analyses the goals of the anti-alcohol campaign and describes the reasons for its inefficiency and the consequences it had on the country. As well, the article states the justifications for the suspension of alcohol trade upon the entrance of the Russian empire into the war. Special attention is given to the social and economic consequences of so à radical move under the conditions of the prolonged and unprecedented in financial costs world war. The author comes to the conclusion that the anti-alcohol campaign could have given positive results only had the war ended quickly and favourably, which was the wager of the government and of the autonomous government bodies. During its first month the campaign played the role of a mobilising factor, however the extension of the war, complicated by the external political and economic situation, and the degradation of the country’s well-being undid the initial positive results. The consequences from the campaign in a most serious manner affected the economic, as well as the political position of the empire and in many ways defined the future revolutionary processes.

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