Historical Narratives and the Construction of Identity in Russian History Textbooks

Abstract

The analysis of historical narratives representing key events in current Russian history school textbooks in RF, demonstrates the nexus between ideology, and new historical narratives. There is a direct, state-dictated push for a ‘national ideology’, promoted by Putin and his team. This ideological perspective is defined in the National History Standards, and is promoted in Russian history textbooks. It is also clear from the history curriculum documents, the new second generation standards in history, and introductions to Russian history textbooks, that values education is incorporated in historical narrative, and class work. Such values include patriotism, national ideology; identity and citizenship. Revised and edited historical narratives in current core Russian history textbooks, representing key events in current Russian history school textbooks in RF, demonstrate the nexus between ideology, the state, and nation-building. Current history textbooks aim to offer new narratives, which focus on the ‘positive historical examples’, stressing Russia’s power and significance, both nationally and globally. The narratives of the key events generally emphasise nationalist ‘bright spots’ in Russian history and Russia’s glory, and military achievements. In historical narratives, among various events during the last two hundred years, the two major world events, signifying Russia’s political and military power, are represented by the Battle of Borodino, and the Great War of the Fatherland. The latter, representing battles of decisive significance for the Soviet Union, is acquiring even a greater ideological and national significance in Russia’s on-going nation-building process.