The Activities of Soviet Authorities in Valuysky Uyezd, January–June 1918

This article examines the establishment of Soviet power in Valuysky Uyezd in 1918, revealing the contradictions between revolutionary reforms and the realities of a borderland region. Drawing on archival documents (Soviet meeting minutes, memoirs), it demonstrates how local authorities, relying on demobilized soldiers, attempted to implement land reform and nationalization while simultaneously combating disorganization from passing Red Army units and preparing for the German advance. Particular attention is paid to the shift from administrative to emergency governance methods in spring 1918. The study’s novelty lies in demonstrating the "dual threat" (external and internal) that constrained the Soviet›s effectiveness. For the first time, it meticulously traces the local government›s evolution from reformist initiatives to military-mobilization practices, contributing to our understanding of early Sovietization patterns in frontline regions.