Ideologists of Regionalism on the Territorial Status, Population and Development Prospects of Siberia (End of XIX - Beginning of XX centuries)

The article analyzes the ideological views of the leading representatives of the Siberian regionalism: A. P. Schapov, N. M. Yadrintsev, G. N. Potanin and others. It is shown that regionalism (autonomism) as an ideological and political trend that started in the middle of the XIX century, it was replenished with supporters from among Siberian natives and sympathizers, mainly from the populist environment, familiar with the life of Siberia through hard labor and exile. The oblasts and their allies criticized the official state policy towards Siberia, its natural resources and indigenous peoples; They saw huge economic, economic and socio-cultural prospects in this territory. The issue of the assessment by representatives of the regional trend of the situation of the Siberian peasantry, its relations with the peasants who migrated from the European part of Russia is highlighted. The psychological type of a Siberian is characterized, which differs from the “average” type of a resident of the Russian “metropolis” and in a number of features is similar to a Western European or North American colonist. Natural conditions and the absence of serfdom traditions in Siberia contributed to the formation of such traits as independence, enterprise, and utilitarianism in the character of Siberians. It is concluded that the ideological program of the regionalism did not contain separatist aspirations but was aimed at attracting the attention of the public and the authorities to the problems of Siberia, the solution of which, according to the regionalists, could optimally be realized in the conditions of federalization of the state, with the granting of autonomy status to Siberia.