“In ancient Rus', in each region there was self-government, a freely independent life developed, determined by the locality, tribal character, special type of occupation and activity, etc. With increasing centralization, this original life had to be smoothed out, subordinate to the general flow and level . Regional residents were not willing to part with their independence and freedom, with their rights and aspirations, and stood in opposition for a long time to the new beginning of centralization for them...” The work is given in the pre-reform alphabet.