Zemstvo

A zemstvo (Russian: земство, IPA:, pl. земства, zemstva) was an institution of local government set up in 1864 following the emancipation reform of 1861. The system was abolished in the wake of the October Revolution.

Zemstvos were representative governments with budgetary and executive authority. Although favoring the nobility, they provided representation to the peasantry and supported a new middle class. They implemented controversial new taxes and spent funds on new educational and medical systems.