The uncertainty of the powers of key provincial government bodies as a sign of the crisis of power in 1917 (based on the materials of the Orenburg Governorate)

This article examines the main organizational problems faced by the new government in the person of provincial and district commissars in the territory of the Orenburg Governorate after the February revolutionary events. Zemstvo institutions were the main pillar of this government. One of the main problems was the indeterminacy of the powers of the commissioners themselves. In addition, the issue of the relationship of the new provincial authorities with zemstvos, city councils and other self-government bodies in the governorate was acute. In addition, there was the issue of relations with public organizations such as councils of workers' and peasants' deputies, public security committees and others. The issue of maintaining law and order was even more acute. The country was at war, but in these conditions the authorities had to rebuild the entire law enforcement system. The separation of law enforcement agencies between different departments had negative consequences. The shortage of qualified personnel and weapons, which, among other things, was a consequence of the war, forced the new provincial authorities to involve military vacationers in law enforcement. Which, in fact, did not solve the personnel problem, but only postponed it for a short time. All these factors had an impact and as a result did not allow the new government to strengthen its position.