History of Russia in a new way. The Kremlin continues to distort the facts

 

At a time when the attention of the entire progressive humanity was focused on Russian schools and the already legendary "single textbook" of history, no less important transformations took place in Russian universities. From September 1, 2023, students at universities began to be taught the history of Russia in a completely new way. Well, or completely in the old way - the difference from the approach. It is quite natural that higher education institutions also fell under the influence of state propaganda. The offensive was conducted in two directions: on one - the introduction of the course "Basic Russian Statehood" (a kind of "scientific communism" 2.0), on the other - radical changes to the old course "History of Russia".

The new concept consists of "Introduction" and "General questions of the subject". The "Introduction" not only outlines the methodological, geographical and chronological framework, but, in fact, builds the core of the grand narrative of Russian history. And it is no coincidence that this grand narrative coincides with the main theses of "The Basis of Russian Statehood", and together they follow the paradigm of "History of the Russian State" by Nikolai Karamzin.

It is pointed out with absolute sincerity that "historical awareness is the most essential component of the civic identity of the population of the Russian Federation. Unity in the understanding of the historical past is necessary to ensure the unity of the multi-ethnic people of Russia." That is, as should be expected, neither the doubtful present, nor, even more, the uncertain future, ensure the unity of the population of Russia. Only history, only grandfathers.

Here, the goal of the course is formulated in the spirit of "Hottentot morality": "A citizen of our country must... formulate and argue a patriotic position on the problems of national history."

On the contrary, the diversity of views on history is condemned - as a problem, the fact that "diversity in approaches to the selection of content, in interpretations

and concepts of the history of Russia as a whole, as well as many current problems of the past has preserved and even deepened".

On the one hand, the concept proclaims the correct principles of history teaching: scientificity, connection of Russian history with world history, comparativist approach, combination of national and regional components. But on the other hand, it reproduces not only the statist, but directly big-state approach. Here are some of the most telling quotes:

 

"The subject of history is designed to promote students' understanding of the peculiarities of Russian historical development against a global background, to assess Russia's contribution to the development of world civilization, its role in the resolution of major international conflicts, its influence in world politics, in general." (not a word about Russian incitement of major international conflicts).

"At the same time, the events in the leading countries of the world, in Europe, Asia, America and Africa, as well as the processes in the countries neighboring Russia, especially those that were previously part of it, deserve attention", (read that Ukraine and Russia were not included in part of the USSR, and Ukraine was part of Russia).

"It is necessary to pay special attention to the historical experience of building Russian statehood in all its stages" (the state is the main subject of history, and the economy, society and culture are secondary).

"The geographic framework of the course is determined by the territory of the modern Russian Federation, based on the area that was part of the Russian state at that time. During the time of ancient Russia, it will be the territory of the Russian principalities, and in the future the territory of the Russian state, the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union", and further: "At the same time, we should keep in mind the historical continuity of Russian statehood, which originates from the formation of the ancient Russian state on the territory of Eastern Europe." (thus, "thousand-year Russian history" is accepted as an axiom, and Russia and the USSR are unconditionally identified with Russia).

"Throughout Russian history, a strong central government has been paramount to the preservation of national statehood" (hence "autocracy" - a shameless apologia for authoritarianism and propaganda for another Putin term).

"When revealing the problems and contradictions of national history, university teachers must avoid negative bias and "blackness", remaining on the positions of objectivity and historicism, observing mainly the creative nature of the actions of the Russian state and the people who inhabit it. (it is unclear, first of all, whether it is more important to maintain objectivity or avoid negativity, and secondly, how to find a place for state crimes?).

 

"The direction of the formation of Russian patriotism is ensured by priority attention to the heroic pages of the Russian struggle for freedom and independence against foreign invaders, to ensure national interests and security" (read about Russian aggression and hope).

Finally, it was not without a traditional contradiction. Therefore, "it is necessary to emphasize the multi-ethnic and multi-confessional character of the Russian state and society in the entire historical space" and the efforts of the Russian states "to achieve international peace and harmony, mutual influence and permeation of cultures" (this is especially interesting to read after the recent anti-Semitic riots).

But at the same time, "special attention in the standard is devoted to the issue of the role of the Russian people, the Russian language and Russian culture both in the creation of Russian statehood and in the development of culture and education throughout the country, ensuring a unique cultural space, international communication and the formation of an all-Russian identity" (and " nationality", as it is understood today in the Russian Federation - all peoples in the composition of the multinational people of Russia are equal, but the Russian people are more equal).

Finally, "at the end of the 10th century in Russia, Christianity was accepted in its Eastern, Orthodox version, which determined the path of cultural development of the country" (this is the third member of the "Uvarov triad").

 

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In the end, it is not about reinterpreting Russian history in universities (despite many really good moments in the descriptions of the 17th-19th centuries, the state-centric paradigm remained intact). The real goal of introducing a new unique concept at universities is the legitimization of Putin's authoritarianism and the justification of aggression against Ukraine. Unfortunately, combined with many other measures in schools and universities, this propaganda attack on the consciousness of young Russians promises to be effective.