PRE-REVOLUTIONARY HISTORIOGRAPHY IN THE REFORM OF RUSSIA IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY

Aksenov Viktor A., Smirnov Alexander G.

The reforms of the second half of the 19th century largely determined the historical paths of Russia's development. Today, they arouse the interest and discussion of historians, jurists, economists, sociologists, and cultural scientists. Attempts are being made to analyze both well-known and new documents of the epoch. However, it is too early to make a historiographical analysis of the latest literature (of the 21st century). The political influence on this process will be too great. We have made an attempt at a historiographical analysis of the literature of pre-revolutionary Russia. What did those who did them or saw the results think about the reforms? The historical approach required to see changes in the positions and assessments of contemporaries of the reforms. Content analysis made the connection between positions and the choice of centers of attention noticeable. Logic and emotional coloring made it possible to understand the current issues of historiography of pre-revolutionary Russia. The authors paid special attention to the various points of view and circumstances of the reforms in the Russian Empire in the second half of the 19th century. All this made it possible to assess the diversity and inconsistency of views hidden in the publications of the most prominent and reputable politicians, writers, and scientists.

Keywords:historiography, reform, analysis, liberalism, conservatism, Slavophilism.