Russian History Research Articles

WARS FOR THE CAPITAL IN THE KYIVAN CHRONICLE

For centuries, Russian scholarship has been trying to appropriate the history of the medieval Rus’ state and its literature. At the same time, most Russian historians, from the 19th century to the present, have had to acknowledge that the definitions of Rus’ and Rus’ land in the chronicles of that time refer to the territory of the Kyiv, Pereiaslav and Chernihiv principalities or in some cases, only to the Kyiv land. That is why today’s Russia stubbornly repeats that there is no Ukraine and no Ukrainians, only ‘Malorossia’ and ‘Malorossians.’ Ukrainian scholars must actively work to dispel these myths. A renewed reading of history, especially of the medieval period, should lay the foundation for the full-scale cultural modernization of the Ukrainian nation and state. As a document of its time, the Kyivan Chronicle deserves special attention from Ukrainian scholars. It preserved dozens of testimonies about conflict situations related to the attempts of the Rurik dynasty princes to take over Kyiv. After the death of Volodymyr Monomakh’s son Yaropolk in 1139, the rule of Kyiv changed hands 40 times by the end of the 12th century. In the single year of 1173, the change of power took place 4 times. The chroniclers portrayed Iziaslav Mstyslavych, Yurii Volodymyrovych, and Andriy Yuriiovych as the most active participants in the Kyivan Wars. However, the last of them fought not ‘for’ Kyiv, but openly ‘against’ it. He was brought up on the border of two traditions — the one of Kyivan Rus and the Eastern — but clearly preferred the latter. He spent a long time in the Rus’ land, where he had certain rights and prospects, but then returned to Zalissia and became an autocrat there. He tried to fill his capital with symbols of greatness, directly imitating the sacred landmarks of Kyiv. He managed to capture and destroy Kyiv in 1169, but his next attempt in 1173 was unsuccessful. Galician and Volyn regiments came to support the people of Kyiv against the ruler of Zalissia.

Social terminology in “Traité de la Noblesse” by Gilles-André La Roque de La Lontière (1678)

The “Traité de la noblesse” by Gilles-André de La Rocque de La Lontière is an example of the treatises on nobility that were prevalent in early modern Europe. The author, a renowned French genealogist, heraldist, and royal historiographer, presented his work as a comprehensive summary and conclusion on the issues surrounding nobility in French society. Although Larocque’s voluminous treatise has been referenced by researchers of the French nobility, it has not been the subject of in-depth investigation by Russian historians. This paper aims to address this gap in the historical literature by analysing the major problems outlined in the treatise and the social terminology used by Larocque as a reflection of the process of defining the boundaries of the noble estate in early modern France. The close subject and epistemic connection between the nobiliary discourse and the French erudite intellectual current is demonstrated. The process of closure of the nobility that took place at that time required the delineation of the boundary between the nobility and the roturiers. In this regard, the internal structure of the French nobility was of little interest to La Rocque, who focused on clarifying its lower border. He provides a detailed account of the terms used to define the borderline between the lower levels of nobility. Larocque addresses the controversial question of the dignity of the old and new nobility, concluding that they are equivalent.

Историческая значимость деятельности Иоанна Каподистрии в решении греческого вопроса в первой половине XIX века

The article examines the activities of Ioannis Kapodistrias as an eminent politician and diplomat in the history of Russia and Greece. It analyzes Kapodistrias’ contributions to the national liberation struggle of the Greek people for independence from Ottoman domination. The role of Russia in facilitating Greece’s path to independence is highlighted, alongside an exploration of the leaders of the Greek national liberation movement. The significance of Orthodox faith, indigenous traditions, and culture for the Greek people is also addressed. The research underscores the pivotal role of Ioannis Kapodistrias in fostering relations between the peoples of Greece and Russia, grounded in their shared Orthodox faith and the institution of the Orthodox Church. An examination of archival data, scholarly works, historical literature, and the statements of high-ranking officials from the Russian Federation provides essential groundwork for further study of the personality of Ioannis Kapodistrias, as well as the application of his experiences and insights in the modern geopolitical conjuncture.

To the Сentenary of the Polonist Нistorian: Vladimir Alexandrovich Yakubsky

The article is devoted to the prominent Russian historian, specialist in the history of Poland Vladimir A. Yakubsky (1924–2013). In the context of the general characteristics of the scientist's creative heritage, a clear relationship between his social-economic research and observations on the general course of Polish history, including the most controversial issues, is shown. The contribution of V.A. Yakubsky, together with G.E. Lebedeva, to the creation of a collective portrait image of the Department of the History of the Middle Ages of Leningrad University, to the historiography of the history of Russian studies of Polish history is emphasized. It is particularly emphasized that the participation of V.A. Yakubsky's involvement in the implementation of major academic research projects was evidence of the inextricable scientific connections between Leniningrad-St. Petersburg Slavic studies and Moscow Slavic studies.

Метод погружения в эпическую ситуацию как средство формирования и коррекции ценностной ориентации подростков

Russian heroic folk sagas (byliny) have been a central element of Folk Education as a distinct genre of folklore that actively shaped and refined the listener’s value system, influencing their perception of the world and their moral compass. The folk epic storytelling was a multifaceted cultural practice, incorporating pedagogical and psychotherapeutic functions.This practice promoted Christian teachings, instilled social norms, fostered a sense of national pride, emphasized the importance of family and tradition, and encouraged care for the less fortunate, including widows, orphans, and the impoverished. Based on an entertaining form of students’ acquaintance with important events of Russian history, heroes and traditions, an epic situation immersion method confronts the task of moral choice, which they solve together with the epic heroes. This method contributes to students’ cognitive abilities, imaginative development, moral character, and appreciation for their country and ancestors.

Book review: Education and Christian enlightenment of the Chuvashs of Volga-Urals in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century: documents and materials from the funds of N.I. Ilminsky and Kazan Teachers’ Seminary (compiled by G.A. Nikolaev, R.R. Iskhakov; Cheboksary, 2023)

The review presents a description of the content of the collection of documents dedicated to the education and Christian enlightenment of the Chuvashs, who lived in the Volga-Ural region in the second half of the 19th – early 20th centuries. The author highlights aspects of the topic that are most fully reflected in the published documents: state of school affairs in rural areas, interfaith situation in the region, living conditions of parish priests and school teachers, activities of teachers and educators N.I. Ilminsky, I.Ya. Yakovlev, N.I. Zolotnitsky. The review positively assesses the detailed scientific reference apparatus of the book. It is concluded that the collection of documents expands our knowledge of the daily life of the peoples of the Volga region in the post-reform period of Russian history. For citation: Kasimov E.V. Book review: Education and Christian enlightenment of the Chuvashs of Volga-Urals in the second half of the 19th – early 20th century: documents and materials from the funds of N.I. Ilminsky and Kazan Teachers’ Seminary (compiled by G.A. Nikolaev, R.R. Iskhakov; Cheboksary, 2023). From History and Culture of Peoples of the Middle Volga Region. 2024, vol.14, no.3, pp. 161–165. https://doi.org/10.22378/2410-0765.2024-14-3.161-165 (In Russian)

The Ukrainian question in Russian history

The Ukrainian question in Russian history

Letters of Historians of the 2nd Half of the 20th Century as a Channel of Scholarly and Business Communications (Based on Letters from Siberia to the Capital)

The article analyzes the letters of specialists in Russian history of the 17th – 19th centuries who sent correspondences to their colleagues in Moscow. The reason these letters are being analyzed is because, due to the distance and communication methods available at the time, correspondence was the main way for Siberian scholars to communicate with the representatives of the important scientific centers, to stay updated on the latest research trends and discoveries. During this era, authors were comparatively unrestricted in their statements, and their internal and external interactions were diverse and significant. Historians from Siberia and Moscow used to correspond on scientific and organizational matters through letters. The topics of discussions included participation in scientific conferences, invitations, opportunities for business trips, publications, cooperation, and reviews. The scholars shared their professional thoughts, ideas, and plans, characterized the sources they found and analyzed, expressed hypotheses and explained preliminary conclusions, reported the outcomes of research, and sometimes talked about the progress in their research projects and the development in their understanding of scientific problems. The letters often described events in the scientific careers of the authors. The content and emotional tone of the correspondence were significantly influenced by the author's character and relationship with the addressee. The letters often contained information of both scientific and personal nature. Sometimes, Siberian scientists requested assistance and help from their colleagues from the capital. The article concludes that letters were a reliable and effective communication channel among the professional community of historians. They were used to convey scientific, business, and occasionally personal information. The recipients of these letters were typically scholars from Moscow who were older in age and higher in status. As a reference group, they played a significant role in determining the specifics of the letters addressed to them.

The Past, present and future of Russia’s oldest psychiatric journal in the context of the vicissitudes of Russian history

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Герб на графское Российской империи достоинство и его версии генерала от кавалерии, атамана Донского Войска графа М.И. Платова

The coat of arms and its versions of Count M.I. Platov are considered for the first time in the scientific literature, their origin, composition, symbolism, role and significance in consolidating the image of a cavalry general, a military ataman of the Don Army in the historical memory of the peoples of Russia and Europe. The highly approved coat of arms of M.I. Platov, little known to contemporaries, was distributed in independent, attributed versions, which played an important role in visualization, strengthening the authority of the “whirlwind chieftain”. It is proven that these versions are unconfirmed and are closely connected with the processes of formation of historical memory and public consciousness in Russia. The versions of the Count's coat of arms of M.I. Platov retained heraldic continuity but were complemented with new figures that revealed the pages of his military and civil service, the relations of the Don Ataman with crowned persons, the military and state elite of Russia and Europe. It is emphasized that the versions of the coats of arms are at the same time independent heraldic and artistic works. According to the authors of the unapproved coats of arms, the awards, additions and changes included in them raised and consolidated the high status of the coat of arms holders, showed their role and merits in the history of Russia. The coat of arms portraits and versions of the coat of arms of Count M.I. Platov reflected the ideas of his contemporaries about his role in the history of the country, the process of formation of the Don nobili-ty, and the state of the heraldic tradition in Russia. Independent, unapproved coats of arms were an important stage in the development of Russian heraldic studies: some are still a kind of reminder of “famous names and events”, others were used primarily to solve personal, property and social problems over the course of one generation and became historical facts in the lives of the coat of arms holders. The coat of arms engraved portrait of M.I. Platov and versions of coats of arms go back to the Don painting and coat of arms tradition of the second half of the 18th – early 19th century. They, preserving artistic and compositional features, are part of the Don and Russian military portrait, Russian heraldry.

Manifestation of national identity in the socio-political values of student youth

The problem of national identity is one of the most controversial, not losing scientific and socio-political relevance for many centuries. National identity is based on a system of value guidelines that unites individuals into a single historical, cultural and social community. The formation of national self-awareness occurs in the process of internalization by an individual of the value system of his country. At the same time, the self-perception of belonging to a certain nation is not predetermined by formal citizenship and is not given once and for all; throughout the life of an individual there is the possibility of choice and change of national identity. This choice is inevitable when the country’s value guidelines change. The modern period in Russian history, and indeed the whole world, is a kind of bifurcation point; the values of the globalizing world, the so-called Western values, come into conflict with traditional Russian values. For the preservation of Russian national identity, the choice of young people is of particular importance. The future of the country depends on what value guidelines form the basis of the national self-determination of today's Russian youth. The article presents the results of a study of the relationship between socio-political values and the choice of national identity of Russian students. It is not by chance that students are identified as the object of observation. As the avant-garde, the most educated part of young people with high ambitions and a desire for social independence, students are the most receptive to change. For the analysis, empirical data from a study by the Center for Political Science of the Institute of Socio-Political Research of FCTAS RAS “Students of Russia: civic culture and life strategies” were used. Using the method of factor analysis, based on the results of an empirical study, three basic types of identity were identified: “Russian, person of his city”, “person of the world, the Internet”, “Asian”. It has been proven that the prevailing type of student identity is closely related to his socio-political attitudes and guidelines. The types that differ most in their views are “Russian, person of the city” and “person of the world, the Internet.” The first type is characterized by pronounced positive assessments of Russia's situation on the world stage, optimistic forecasts for the development of both the economy and the development of the country as a whole in 10-15 years. Representatives of this type see the main national idea in the unity of the peoples of Russia in order to revive the country as a great power. Representatives of the “person of the world, Internet” type are characterized by less positive assessments of the present and future of Russia. The main national idea for them is to create a legal and modern democratic state, the path of development is a free market economy. Among the values, such concepts as human rights, freedom and democracy are more significantly represented. But the most important difference between the second type is the pronounced migration sentiment.

Между имперским и постимперским дискурсом: идеи империи и революции в оптике исследователей XXI века (Рец. на: Идея империи и идея революции в русской философии и культуре XIX–XX веков: коллективная монография / отв. ред. И.И. Евлампиев. СПб.: Изд-во РХГА, 2023. 420 с.)

The paper analyses the collective monograph: “The Idea of Empire and the Idea of Revolution in Russian Philosophy and Culture of the XIX–XX Centuries”, its content being a reflection on one of the most intellectually acute and complex contradictions of Russian history – the problem of empire and revolution. This problem invariably awakens philosophical thought, forcing it to search for an explanation of the notorious “pendulum of Russian history”, the genesis of power, the vector and track of Russian history, which are intellectual outgrowths of the fundamental problem – the problem of Russian civilizational and state identity. The content of the work is an analysis of empire and revolution – the main concepts that are in the focus of philosophical interest and reflection in Russian culture of the XIX–XX centuries. Its aim is to demonstrate the theoretical demand to continue the analysis and philosophical reflection of the concepts of empire and revolution, with the task of rethinking and reinterpreting them. The thesis is presented about the inexhaustibly traditional historical-philosophical narrative (liberalism-conservatism) and the discursively traditional nature of the range of topics, problems and questions, centred on the concepts of “empire” and “revolution”, with the same inexhaustibly traditional duality of interpretation (“us–them”, “East–West”). The result of the analysis of the sections that make up the content of the monograph is the conclusion about the epistemological and axiological value of the concepts of empire and revolution, and the heuristic productivity of the works related to their analysis in the context of the challenges faced by the Russian society and state. The latter can be used as analytical tools for works that develop and deepen the problems of empire and revolution on a modern historiographical basis. The historiographical basis of the article is the works of well-known Russian and foreign authors specializing in this field of humanities, and the methodological basis is hermeneutic analysis with the involvement of the discourse of cultural studies, political science and history.

Общественно-политическое и правовое положение осетин Южной Осетии как подданных Грузинского государства (XII–XVIII вв.)

The article examines a little-known historical and legal problem related to the citizenship of the South Ossetians of the Georgian feudal monarchy and Georgian kings. The little-researched problem raised seems not only relevant from the point of view of Russian history and jurisprudence, but also interesting from the socio-political position of today, when relations between Georgians and Ossetians have significantly deteriorated not only because of the genocide organized by the Georgian authorities against South Ossetians in 1920, 1989-1992 and 2008, but also the complete separation of South Ossetia from genocidal Georgia. The article is debatable, but the facts presented here seem convincing and reasoned.

СЛАВЯНОФИЛЬСКАЯ ФИЛОСОФИЯ ВОЙНЫ: ОПЫТ РЕКОНСТРУКЦИИ

The article examines the statements of Slavophile philosophy that defined the line along which the tradition of understanding the phenomenon of war developed in Russia. Exploring the views and war roads of A.S. Khomyakov, I.S. Aksakov and Yu.F. Samarin, the authors analyze the attitude of these thinkers to war and its consequences, their appraisal of the meaning of the XIXth century war conflicts in the history of Russia and the West as well as moral motives dominating the works of these philosophers. Slavophile philosophy of war is formed as a practical one with an obvious tendency towards historiosophy, focused primarily on understanding the moral meaning and historical significance of the wars inwhich Russia took part.

War and Economic Growth: What Can Modern RUSSIA Learn From the 20th Century?

After February 2022, the growth of military expenditures and trade sanctions of unfriendly countries were the main factors determining the economic development of the Russian Federation. These factors are nothing new in the world and Russian history. They are typical economic manifestations of military conflicts. The accumulated historical experience, if properly used and correctly interpreted, can help to evaluate the current state of the Russian economy and predict its future. In this context, this article considers the two largest world conflicts (the First and Second World Wars) as well as five major military conflicts of the 20th century in which our country took part. The analyzed experience has identified six major factors. The presence or absence of these factors determines the potential economic growth of a belligerent state. With regard to the presence of these factors, the current economic situation in Russia has been analyzed. The authors have come to the conclusion that there are no prospects for economic growth in modern Russia. Besides, they have justified the need for a structural reorientation of GDP towards increased military and investment spending at the expense of reduced consumption by the population.

In search of a predictable past

The article is a reflection on reading the book by Academician A.V. Torkunov and Professor V.V. Degoev “Russian History: State. Civilization, External World” (Moscow: Aspect Press, 2024) in connection with the problems raised in it in the spheres of economy, state and society structure in Russia, up to the problems of its foreign policy. In their voluminous work, involving the methodology of historical sciences and related disciplines, the authors paid attention to the issues of human relations with society and the state in Russia, which, as elsewhere, were not always friendly and have never been simple. Reading the monograph encourages reflection on the patterns of development of Russian statehood over a huge period of time from the second half of the 9th century to the beginning of the 20th century, — from the formation of the Kyiv state to the First World War, - including the periods of Ancient Rus’, medieval Muscovy and the Russian Empire.

Кому молились о рождении Ивана Грозного: «неизвестные» и новые молитвы прп. Александра Свирского

<p>The idea for this article came about as a result of a combination of the revived veneration of St Alexander of Svirsky, and the study of the manuscript tradition of his Life (16th-19th centuries) and is connected with the attribution of prayers attributed to the Venerable in modern liturgical minyas. A study of over 315 folios of the Vita has shown that there is no evidence of the latter in the main source of information about the Monk. However, in the earliest edition, the Mineinaya, his prayers were preserved in the form in which they were recorded 12 years after his repose. One of them is in a sense key to Russian history and is directly connected with the veneration of the saint by the royal family; it is preserved only in manuscripts and is absent in the modern hagiographic text. The objectives of the study were both to establish the probable sources of the modern prayers attributed to St Alexander and to clarify the manuscript tradition of those prayers that were clearly preserved throughout the centuries in the texts of the Life.</p>

Book review: Odintsov M. I., Kochetova A. S. Freedom of Conscience in the History of Russia: Ideas, Legislative Projects, Practical implementation. The end of the 19th — the first quarter of the 20th century Moscow : Political Encyclopedia, 2023. 553 p.

Book review: Odintsov M. I., Kochetova A. S. Freedom of Conscience in the History of Russia: Ideas, Legislative Projects, Practical implementation. The end of the 19th — the first quarter of the 20th century Moscow : Political Encyclopedia, 2023. 553 p.

National Question and Its Resolution: Semantics of Ethnic Disintegration and Integration in Russian History Textbooks of 20th-21st Centuries

This article addresses the issue of verbalizing the semantics of ethnic disintegration (separation) and integration (unity) through terminological means. The study is based on an analysis of 40 combinations featuring the word “nation” and its derivatives, which are regularly employed in contemporary educational publications on Russian history from the 20th to the 21st century. The aim of this work is to describe the conceptual fields of ethnic disintegration or integration as represented by the terminological tools of educational historical discourse. Through a logical-semantic approach, the boundaries of the terminologies of disintegration / integration and their logical models are identified; the semantics of individual terminological units are described, including their axiological potentials. The structures of the conceptual fields represented by combinations with “nation” and its derivatives are delineated. The author concludes that the terms “national question” and “resolution of the national question” serve as foundational nominations within educational historical discourse, organizing the terminological systems of disintegration and integration. These terms are interpreted as opposing yet complementary fields that reflect the states of the nation and state in their opposition (political distancing of the nation from the state) or identification (political unity), encompassing a border zone filled with characteristics that facilitate the transition of the nation and state from one state to another.

ПАМЯТЬ О ЦАРЕ-МИРОТВОРЦЕ АЛЕКСАНДРЕ III В КРЫМУ

Interest in the personality and deeds of Emperor Alexander III has increased markedly recently – and not only out of a desire to deepen our knowledge of the Russian history in the second half of the XIX century, but also due to the need to understand how peace can be preserved (and in not the most favorable conditions in the international arena), effectively cooperating with other states and at the same time doing everything possible to restore and strengthen the military power of their country. The Emperor left a good memory in the Crimea, where he visited many times. The seat of the royal family was Livadia. They were housed in the Small Palace (a monument to Alexander III was erected in its place in 2017). The article talks about those important innovations in the economic, military and cultural life of the Crimea that were associated with the name of Alexander III, and how the memory of the peacemaker emperor was preserved and preserved on the peninsula.