Russian History Research Articles

Blindspots in the Historiography of Russia’s Colonial Rule over South Ukraine and Crimea

Abstract The rethinking and decolonization of Russian history has become a significant challenge for historians. This process should cover primarily the history of the Russian empire. The study of different regions of the Russian empire is one of the possible approaches because the empire was heterogeneous. The history of imperial institutions would thus move to the sidelines, while the history of regions, cities, different social, ethnic and religious groups, as well as the interaction within and between them should become the primary focus of historians. This approach would foster a shift from a Moscow-centric view.

F.M. Dostoevsky’s Nationalism: History, Historiography, and Politics. An Old Controversy in a Post-2022 Context

Abstract Dostoevsky’s nationalism has long been a sensitive and controversial topic in Western scholarship. At the core of the controversy is the problem of explaining the stark contrast between Dostoevsky’s philosophical message of universal love and the explicitly xenophobic, chauvinistic and war-glorifying statements found in many of his journalistic articles. Russia’s full-scale war in Ukraine has reignited the old controversy in ways that have brought to light the profound political implications involved in interpreting Russian history in a post-2022 context. Many Ukrainian intellectuals and public figures have come to question not only the appropriateness of Dostoevsky’s title as a “great humanist” but also the conventions of Dostoevsky’s reception in Western scholarship, which serve to maintain this image of the writer in the public mind, despite many of his unpalatable ideas. These sentiments are echoed by (as yet) a small group of Russianists in the West who argue for the need to reconsider Dostoevsky from a more critical, decolonizing perspective. This essay offers a historiographic review of the theme of Dostoevsky’s nationalism in Western and Russian scholarship over the past two decades. It also highlights the way in which Dostoevsky’s nationalist ideas have been used by Russian propagandists in popular media since Russia’s first invasion of Ukraine in 2014.

Moscow-the Third Rome Concept and the Russian Orthodox Church

Russians in 988, under the leadership of Kinyaz Viladimer, they accepted Christianity through the Patriarchate of Constantinople and entered a new phase in their history. With Christianity, the Russians were introduced to writing and, most importantly, to religious texts. At the same time, this change of religion also led to the acceptance of the belief of chosenness, which had spread to Christianity from Judaism. Nestor, a Russian priest who lived in the 12th century, wrote in his work that although Russians were the last community to accept Christianity, they would undertake important missions in the future. He also attributed a mission to the Russian society by referring to the biblical passage that the feet will be the head and the head will be the feet. However, in the mentioned centuries, the Eastern Roman Empire was still the centre of Orthodoxy. For this reason, the Russian Orthodox Church would remain for many years as a Metropolitanate under the Patriarchate of Constantinople. However, the increasing Ottoman pressure on Constantinople from the 1400s onwards created several historical opportunities for the Russians. In particular, the Byzantine agreement with the Pope of Rome in Florence in 1439 mobilised the Russian Church. Using this agreement as a pretext, Moscow severed its relations with Constantinople. In 1453, the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople, the centre of the Orthodox world, opened a new page in Russian Theo-politics. Russian priests believed that Nestor's prophecy had been fulfilled and Moscow developed the concept of the Third Rome. Appearing in the 16th century, the Moscow-Third Rome concept soon became the ideological basis for the formation of the Moscow kingdom. In this article, the concept of Moscow Third Rome, which is one of the important turning points in Russian history, is analysed through an analytical method. The background of the concept, the conditions that led to its emergence, its historical development and its reflections on the present day are emphasised.

Between politics, memory, and historiography. Mikhail Koyalovich’s West Russianism in the reflections of “neo-West Russianism”

The article presents analyses of historiographic narrations of Belarusian researchers (Yakov Treshchenok, Valeriy Cherepitsa, Valentina Teplova, and Alexey Khoteev) devoted to Russian historian Mikhail Koyalovich (1828–1891). At the same time, it illustrates the reformulation of the “West Russianism” ideology into “neo-West Russianism” and poses the question of how these narrations fit both the scientific discourse over history and memory taking place in contemporary Belarus and the decisions of President Aleksandr Lukashenko.

Особенности преподавания истории России в образовательных организациях МЧС России в современных реалиях

The purpose of the article is to analyse the Concept of teaching the course “History of Russia” for non-historical specialties and areas of training and identify prospects for its implementation in educational EMERCOM organisations. The timeliness and relevance of the document was emphasized. The factors that account for the increased attention to the issues of studying the history of Russia are highlighted, a number of circumstances that should be taken into account in the process of teaching the discipline is described. The features of the application of various methodical means and techniques within the course “History of Russia” in the Ural Institute of State Fire Service of EMERCOM of Russia (taking into account the priorities of future professional activity of students) are described. The role of the teacher as a genuine mentor-educator, forming the patriotic historical consciousness of students in the process of personal-oriented teaching of historical discipline, has been determined.

СЕКРЕТНОЕ ПИСЬМО В.И. ЛЕНИНА 20 ФЕВРАЛЯ 1922 г. НАРКОМУ ЮСТИЦИИ РСФСР Д.И. КУРСКОМУ И ДАЛЬНЕЙШАЯ МОДЕРНИЗАЦИЯ СОВЕТСКОЙ ПРАВОВОЙ ПОЛИТИКИ В УСЛОВИЯХ НЭПА

The paper based on V.I. Lenin’s works, published in sources and special historical materials, explores the true meaning and content of Lenin’s letter dated February 20, 1922 to the People’s Commissar of Justice of the RSFSR D.I. Kursky. This secret letter intended to modernize Soviet legal policy under the conditions of the NEP. Lenin wanted to direct the efforts of the People's Commissariat of Justice (Narkomyust) to fight the enemies of Soviet power. In carrying out this modernization of legal policy V.I. Lenin relied on the qualified Soviet lawyer D.I. Kursky, who for ten years (1918–1928) remained the permanent People's Commissar of Justice of the RSFSR, and then the USSR. In 1922, Lenin, in a secret letter, saw the Socialist Revolutionaries and Mensheviks as the main enemies in the transformation of Russia. One of them was a prominent Russian historian, a former Bolshevik fellow-fighter who went over to the Mensheviks, N.A. Rozhkov. Renegades apostates like him aroused special hatred in Vladimir Ilyich. V.I. Lenin pursued Nikolai Alexandrovich Rozhkov until his last breath. It should be noted that the addressee of the letter D.I. Kursky generally successfully implemented Lenin's demands and instructions for modernization and justice during the NEP years. He practically created a new Soviet law, but in 1928 I.V. Stalin began to sharply curtail the NEP, and D.I. Kursky was “diplomatically” sent by the USSR plenipotentiary envoy to Italy.

1937 год в адвокатуре. Свердловская область

The 1930s have become known in the Russian history as years of the Great Terror. Cases on crimes against the revolution (Art. 581–5818 of the Criminal Code of the RSFSR as amended in 1926) were reviewed in the simplified procedure, sentences were pronounced by extra-judicial authorities. However, the customary procedure was also applied, where the accused could hope for protection of rights of an individual. This happened in criminal case No. 3098 against Chairperson of the Presidium of the Sverdlovsk Regional Bar Association N.F. Ostrovsky, his deputy V.P. Postnikov and Chairperson of the Local Trade Union Committee A.F. Toropova.

The role of black color in the history of Russian, French and Chinese mythology and folklore

The role of black color in the history of Russian, French and Chinese mythology and folklore

Императорское Русское военно-историческое общество и формирование исторической памяти о военных событиях в начале ХХ века

This study analyses the ability and potential of the Imperial Russian Military Historical Society to influence the formation of historical memory of military events in Russian history in the early 20th century. The methodological basis is a synthesis of ideas from the interdisciplinary paradigm of memory studies, as well as comparative historical and typological historical methods. The author proceeds from the assumption that in the early 20th century, the Russian Military Historical Society was among the key actors in the formation of historical memory of significant events in military history. The extensive structure, large membership, broad local representation and various forms of commemoration allowed the society to participate in the process of selecting acts of remembrance of military events and figures as well as assigning certain meanings to them. The study identified difficulties in implementing a number of commemorative projects, such as insufficient financial support and conflicts between the central and local offices as well as between the society’s members. The author comes to the conclusion that, despite the organizational and financial problems, the Russian Military Historical Society during its short period of existence has made a significant contribution to preserving the memory of military campaigns, which is reflected in various forms of commemoration. In addition, the society has managed to earn a reputation and gain the trust of military historians. Turning to these topics not only expands our understanding of the mnemonic actors existing in the modern world, but also allows us to recreate the main directions of the policy of memory in the Russian Empire in the early 20th century. Further research into the commemorative projects of the Imperial Russian Military Historical Society, as well as its interactions with other actors, seems promising.

Personalities in the History of Russia's Diplomatic Presence in Jerusalem (1858-1880)

Personalities in the History of Russia's Diplomatic Presence in Jerusalem (1858-1880)

The Portrayal of Russian History of the 20th century in DPRK School Textbooks

The Portrayal of Russian History of the 20th century in DPRK School Textbooks

Commemorating Jubilee of Jan Hus in Russian Empire: Preconditions, History, Cultural Context.

The brief report on the activities of the St. Petersburg Slavic Charitable Committee for the year 1869 includes a record that society members discussed the celebration of the 500th anniversary of Jan Hus and established a prize for an essay on the Czech religious figure. The inclusion of Hus in the list of “jubilarians” worthy of honor not only highlights the significance of this religious thinker for the Slavic world but also touches upon certain political aspects of Russian history. The article analyzes the reasons for the Russian public's attention to Hus’s persona, provides a characterization of the views of Russian intellectuals at the time of the contest announcement regarding the legacy of the Czech religious figure, and presents reflections on how the proposal to support Jan Hus’s 500th jubilee aligns with the tradition of honoring cultural figures in the Russian Empire by the mid-19th century. The material draws from both published documents and sources not yet introduced into scholarly circulation. The motives behind honoring Jan Hus's legacy are seen in the acknowledgment by the chairman of the St. Petersburg branch of the committee, Gilferding, of the Orthodox foundations of the Czech reformer’s teachings, deeming it possible to use Hus celebrations as a lever of influence on Czech society and advance the idea of political and religious unity among all Slavic branches in Orthodox faith.

Statistical Scientists in the Academy of Sciences: To Mark the 300th Anniversary of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS)

The paper covers the 300 years of the history of the Russian Academy of Sciences, which embodies the intellectual potential of Russia. The authors focus on the figures of academic scientists who have left their mark on the history of Russian statistics. It is stressed that the choice of personalities – members and corresponding members of the Academy of Sciences – was relative due to the complex structure of the Academy itself when а branch or a department of the Academy nominates a scientist to the rank of an academician or a corresponding member, as well as an ambiguity of a scientist’s contribution if the area of subsequent activity of the elected member of the RAS strained from the profile of the nominating division of the Academy. When discussing personal achievements, the authors adhered only to chronology, consistently moving from one historical phase to another, from one system of government to another. It is difficult to review the three centuries of the Academy of Sciences in any detail; this explains the lapidary style and the lack of description of the features of Russian history in each period and their impact on scientific research priorities. The article may be of interest to researchers, teachers and post-graduate students of economic universities, as well as employees of state statistics institutions in Russia.

Alexander and Mstislav Tolstoy: attempt at biographies

Abstract: The article attempts to reconstruct the biographies of two prominent historical figures of the first decades of the XX century – Counts Alexander and Mstislav Tolstoy, older brothers of the writer A.N. Tolstoy. Having begun their career path in Samara and in the Samara province, where both alternately headed the Samara district nobility, they made excellent careers (one of the brothers met the 1917 revolution as governor of Vilna, and the other as vice-governor of St. Petersburg), many and productive worked for the benefit of their hometown of Samara and the country as a whole, but after the revolution they were forgotten and erased from Russian history, a slow return to which began about three decades ago, but has not yet fully taken place. This article is an attempt at such a personal return, where, on the basis of rare and unique documents from the family collections of the descendants of Count Tolstoy, memoirs, newspaper publications, etc., their biographies are restored, including both official, public, and personal, family moments. The attempted biographical reconstruction is interesting and significant both in historical and local history terms, and in historical and literary terms – as a context for the historical trilogy of the younger brother of the heroes of this article by A.N. Tolstoy – the trilogy «The Road to Calvary».

Использование мемуаров в рамках преподавания региональной истории в школе

Рассматриваются возможности использования мемуарных текстов жителей Томской области в преподавании региональной истории. Представлена общая характеристика ситуации с учебно-методическим обеспечением преподавания региональной истории. Выявляются преимущества привлечения сборника воспоминаний томичей «Я вам, родные, излагаю быль» в образовательный процесс в школе. Показана информативность представленных в нем мемуаров в изучении отдельных тем по истории. The problems of teaching regional history at school are actively discussed by the pedagogical and scientific community. The article focuses on the possibilities of using memoir texts of residents of the Tomsk region in teaching regional history. The general characteristics of the situation concerning the educational and methodological support of teaching regional history are presented. It is emphasized that a full study of regional history is impossible without referring to the level of the oblast, acting as a link with local history. Considering that there are currently no educational and methodological materials on the history of the Tomsk region, emphasis is placed on historical sources that can be included in the anthology or collection of documents that are an obligatory part of the educational and methodological complex. The collection “I am telling you, my dear ones, a true story” is being considered, in which the memoirs of residents of the Tomsk region are published. The characteristic of the narratives contained in it is given. The advantages of involving the collection into the educational process at school are revealed. The appeal to the collection will help the teacher to demonstrate one of the leading features of modern historical science – interest in the “little man”, which arose in connection with the development of microhistoric approaches in historical research, to show the potential and uniqueness of family archives. It will allow schoolchildren to more seriously comprehend the diversity of the historical and cultural heritage of the Tomsk region. The informative value of the memoirs presented in the collection will be useful in the study of the following sections on the history of Russia: “The Russian Empire in the XIX – early XX centuries” (themes “The Ethno-cultural image of the Empire”, “National-religious features”), “Soviet society in the 1920s-30s” (themes “The USSR in 1929–1941: “Stalinist Socialism”, “Cultural space”), “The Great Patriotic War. 1941–1945”, “The apogee and crisis of the Soviet system. 1945–1991” (theme “Late Stalinism” (1945–1953)).

Категория памяти в поэзии В. Кирюшина: онтологический аспект

The aim of the study is to identify the features of the phenomenon of memory in the poetry of the modern poet Victor Kiryushin. The object of the article is the ontological dimension of memory in the Russian artistic verbal culture, which in the work of the modern author is associated with the image of a soldier, the image of war, the image of an old woman-mother, poetics and aesthetics of the “saying thing”. The subject of the study is the figurative realization of the phenomenon of memory in V. Kiryushin’s poetic selection from the literary and socio-political almanac “Day of Poetry – XXI Century” (2023). Considerable attention is paid to the interaction between digital memory and contemporary art, Russian poetry, which has the qualities of cultural entelechy. Digital memory and cultural memory are compared. Great culturological potential of modern poetry for studying the national existence of Russia is revealed. The results of the study can be applied in the course of teaching courses on the culture and history of Russia in secondary and higher schools.

Геополитика как опасная патология политического сознания

The article is analytical and does not connected with questions of current politics. The radical difference between politics in genuine, Aristotelian meaning od word and political manipulations for solution of current political issues od day is emphasized. The historical, moral and sociological aspects of geopolitical paradigm in terms of imminent defectiveness of it and caused multiple negative consequences are considered. Among the topics of analysis are historical origin and evolution of geopolitical ideology from ancient China till European version of it – Machiavellianiism, and also a modern definition and understanding of geopolitics. The imminent pathologies of geopolitical consciousness are connected with mythology on national exclusiveness, ostensible uniqueness of different countries’ “special path”, etc. It was burdened in addition in several European states by post imperial political syndrome. Special sections of article are devoted to key crossroads in the history of Russia and also to condition of public political consciousness in the post Soviet period. It is characterized by deformations of value system, complex of social inferiority, fear of changes and deep socio psychological trauma. That usual for transit periods and finds a sort of compensation in vulgar pseudo patriotism. On the other side, the author is disagree and argues against of pessimistic, fatalistic judgements of Russian national political consciousness and culture and against of conclusion on supposed unpreparedness of us to democratic development.

Художественное наследие в актуализации традиционных педагогических технологий и реализации инновационных идей образования

The purpose of the research is to create a comprehensive methodology with the inclusion of traditional pedagogical technologies based on the system of the historical Russian school of fine arts. Using the example of planning ensembles of a Russian manor with the definition of their influence on the cultural development of life in urban suburbs during the heyday and development of art workshops and crafts in the late XVIII and early XIX centuries. The paper provides an analysis of a number of methodological approaches in the educational system, which is based on the educational and cultural component of art education. The purpose of this article was to analyze the social features of the planning, content and distribution of functions of the socio-cultural development of the Russian estate. The research can be successfully applied in educational programs and additional education, in the field of architecture, design, restoration and ecology.

Baśń włoska. Pasaże radosne

Images of Italy by Pavel Muratov, the eminent Russian historian of art and the excellent writer as well, have been published over than one hundred years ago. This masterpiece seems to be very well known today and is commonly regarded as a very sophisticated guide of Italian art and architecture. The author presents that such kind of conceiving this legendary book is a typical form of misreading. On the contrary: he emphasizes its cognitive and literary merit. Finally, he reveals the real content of Images of Italy as a special form of Nietzschean gaya scienza, and at the same time, as a still vivid source of the existential joy.

Рецензия на монографию: Шаламов А. Ю. Московская полиция. 1905-1907. М.: Кучково поле, 2022. 560 с.: 8 л. ил.

The book under review covers the activities of the Moscow police during the First Russian Revolution, the structure and personnel composition of the Moscow police. This monograph will be useful to researchers focusing on the history of the Russian police, the Russian revolutionary movement, the modern history of Russia in the first half of the 20th century, educators teaching courses such as “History of Law Enforcement Agencies”, “History of Russia”, students, and a wide range of readers interested in the recent history of Russia.