Charitable activities of cooperatives during World War I (a case of Kostroma and Yaroslavl provinces)

Charitable activities of cooperatives during the First World War within the studied provinces of Imperial Russia have been chosen as objects of special research for the first time, which determines the novelty of the article. World War I made significant adjustments to the daily life of Russian society. Difficult socio-economic and political conditions, which became particularly acute in 1915–1917, led to the fact that many social groups began to need financial assistance from the authorities. Charitable activities have become particularly important, involving various public organizations and individuals. The purpose of the study is to analyze the charitable activities of various types of cooperative organizations – credit, consumer, and agricultural ones – using materials from the archives of the Kostroma, Yaroslavl, and Ivanovo regions, as well as periodicals from the Kostroma and Yaroslavl provinces (Povolzhsky Vestnik, Kostromskaya Zhizn, Courier, Golos, Samopomoshch). The main directions and forms of assistance to those in need have been identified. The study findings help to better understand the essence of cooperation, with mutual assistance being one of its essential elements.