Trends and issues in the financing of municipal self-government during the war: the historical experience of Russia in 1914 - February 1917

The article analyzes the impact of the First World war on the financial situation in cities, identifies major trends and issues in municipal financial system. It is concluded that the war, on the one hand, showed the inexperience of city leaders, the underdevelopment of the financial base of cities and insufficient development of the credit market, on the other, the war contributed to the transformation of the local government: expanded city services, forced the municipalities to undertake the solution of national issues; the city sought to gain a strong and independent tax basis, increased role of subsidies from the Treasury.