Administrative Reform in the Kingdom of Poland after the January Uprising – Process and Consequences

Abstract

Administrative reform in the Kingdom of Poland after the January Uprising (1863–1864) aimed to fully integrate the region into the Russian Empire. Following the failure of Polish efforts for autonomy, the Russian authorities systematically centralised governance, dissolving Polish institutions and replacing officials with Russians. Key reforms included the abolition of the Secretariat of State of the Kingdom of Poland, the Council of State, and various government commissions. New administrative bodies such as the Committee for the Affairs of the Kingdom of Poland and the Appointing Committee were established to oversee governance and legal unification. The country was divided into new gubernias and districts, increasing Russian control over local administration. The reforms also affected Polish society, weakening the intelligentsia and increasing police oversight. By 1876, the administrative reform was almost complete, and the Kingdom was increasingly referred to as the Vistula Country, symbolising its reduced autonomy. This process paralleled similar Russian actions in Finland, reflecting a broader imperial policy of unification.