THE PEASANT QUESTION IN THE DOMESTIC POLICY OF RUSSIA IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE XIX CENTURY
The article discusses attempts to solve the peasant question in the first half of the XIX century. The decree of February 20, 1803 «On free farmers» of Alexander I and the mechanism of its implementation are analyzed Statistical data on peasants freed from serfdom under this document are presented. The most important measures in the field of peasant affairs during the reign of Nicholas I are also analyzed: the reform of the state village and the decree of April 2, 1842 «On obligated peasants». The role of secret committees in the preparation of projects of these transformations is considered.