Review of economic activity of zemstvo in 1870s-1890s

The article considers the main aspects of economical activity of local self-government in the initial period of their activity in 1870-1890s on the materials of the Middle Volga provinces. The author concludes that Zemstvo in the first decades of its existence has not developed a clear economic course, and was searching for its place in the economic system of the country. Only the beginning of the 20th century gradually developed a system of interconnected Zemsky economic measures, which resulted in the forming the county agronomic services, organizing small credit institutions, helping small entrepreneurs in the field of handicraft production.