Savchuk A. The activities of the Main Committee of peasant affairs in preparation for the reform of 1861 in the Russian Empire

The dissertation all-around and comprehensively examines activities of the Main Committee of Peasant Affairs (1857-1861), created by Emperor Alexander II to prepare the peasant reform of 1861 in the Russian Empire, which is also part of historiography, known as the "Great Reform". The ideological struggle between the liberal and conservative members of the Main Committee and its structures - the Governorate Committees and Editorial Committees, the influence of the decisions of the Main Committee in the peasant cause on the development of the main provisions of this reform are covered in details. Key words: Main Committee of Peasant’s affairs, activities, Russian Empire, Governorate Committees, Editorial Committees, Emancipation reform of 1861.