From “Rossijskaya” to “Russkaya” History: Nationalization of Historiography in the Era of Nicholas I

The era of Nicholas I was marked by serious changes in various spheres of life of the Russian Empire, including historical science. It was the time when the formation of the domestic system of historical education took place, manuals for various educational institutions were published and several historical schools appeared. But at the same time there went also the process of historiography “nationalization”, transition from the perception of history as “History of the State of Rossiya” to “Russian History” or “History of Russia”, where not only the authorities but also the people began to play an important role. Nikolai Polevoy played an important role in that process, he pointed out for the first time that the link uniting all periods of Russian history was not the ruling dynasty, but the Russian people. Despite the fact that his works were severely criticized, it was with him that the concept of “Russianness” began to supplant “Rossijanness”. By the end of the reign of Nicholas I that very approach to Russian history became dominant. Thus, despite the struggle against the ideas of nation and nationalism, in that time they penetrated into historical science and the system of historical education – from schools to higher educational institutions.