Nobility and Schooling in Russia, 1700s–1760s: Choices in a Social Context (original) (raw)
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Social Evolution History, 2008
Historiography for a long time supposed that the Russian nobility, because of its character of service, did not possess a class consciousness, which is expressed in point d'honneur and distinction nobiliaire (Bourdieu 1987). It corresponds to the proclamation opposition 'Russian-European', which came from the old theory of Russian special way (Sonderweg). In my contribution, I refrain from proclaiming an a priori incompatibility of the Russian nobility with Western European principles and try to show that the research on the Russian nobility and elites can benefit to be reconstructed within a European conceptual sphere and from using the concepts like 'Adeligkeit'. The objective of this essay is to put key concepts of European noble habitus to test by the help of three conceptions: 'elite', 'point d'honneur' and 'service' by Russian example. While the history of Russia in the 18 th and 19 th centuries is described in terms of Europeanization in the areas of the governmental system, education and everyday life, in scientific tradition the results of this European influence are for the most part judged as not corresponding to European standards: According to this tradition, neither a constitutional state existed-despite the orientation towards the theory and codification of the law according to the European (mainly German) model-nor a bureaucracy in accordance with the Western model, with a delegation of power 1 .
Beautiful and Difficult Years of Adolescence. Aristocratic Education in Late Imperial Russia
Slovanský přehled / Slavonic Review, 2022
Beautiful and Difficult Years of Adolescence. Aristocratic Education in Late Imperial Russia The article focuses on the education and upbringing of aristocrats in late imperial Russia (the 1850s-1917). It is based primarily on sources of a personal nature (non-published and published memoirs and diaries). Their analysis shows the main elements, continuity and discontinuity in the education of boys and girls from aristocratic families during their adolescence, i. e. from the age of twelve/thirteen to sixteen/eighteen. Unlike childhood, for which homeschooling was typical, the period of adolescence was significantly more dynamic. The aristocratic education was more influenced by state educational reforms, growing civic awareness, and various ideas about the best preparation for future life and a career. Aristocratic families chose from among elite noble schools, private lycées, or state public schools (gymnasiums). The nobility's approach to education was slowly being democratised. More and more aristocrats studied at state public schools (gymnasiums). At the same time, criticism of the conservative conditions of the education system was heard from the ranks of the aristocracy.
The ‘Distinction’: Russian Nobility and Russian Elites in the European Context (18th – 19th Century)
2008
Historiography for a long time supposed that the Russian nobility, because of its character of service, did not possess a class consciousness, which express in point d'honneur and distinction nobiliaire (Bourdieu, 1987). It corresponds to the proclamation opposition ‘Russian-European’, which came from the old theory of Russian special way (Sonderweg). In my contribution, I refrain from proclaiming an a priori incompatibility of Russian nobility with Western European principles and try to show that the research on Russian nobility and elites can benefit to be reconstructed within a European conceptual sphere and from using the concepts like ‘Adeligkeit’. The objective of this essay is to put key concepts of European noble habitus to a test by the help of three conceptions: ‘elite’, ‘point d'honneur’ and ‘service’ on Russian example.
Education as a Problem in Seventeenth-Century Russia
The State in Early Modern Russia: New directions. In Slavica publishers., 2019
The first part of this article is a brief historiographic introduction to the problem of education in seventeenth-century Russia. It prepares the reader for the second part, in which I endeavor to present my own observations and reflections that emerged as a result of an extensive study of this subject.
The article reconstructs the lives of Siberian deti boiarskie Ivan and Fëdor Tomilov and their immediate descendants within the framework of the current historiographical debate on the descriptive principles of Russian society in the early modern era. From the mid seventeenth century to the early 1720s, the Tomilov brothers specialized in running peasant settlements (slobody). They very often got appointed in settlements where they had vested economic interests. Their careers are characteristic of only part of Siberian deti boiarskie: this points to the existence of variations in the types of service and in lifestyles within this social category. It comes out from the various descriptions of conflicts recorded in the Verkhotur´e governor’s office and Siberian Chancellery archives that the Tomilovs enjoyed support from members of various social groups who, for some of them, were relatives. At the same time, opponents from lower rungs (belomestnye cossacks, peasants) did not forget their lower social status. The Tomilovs, thanks to their connections with members of other social groups, successfully adapted to the state’s social legislation, which sometimes proved disadvantageous. However, after Peter’s reforms, Ivan’s descendants, who served in the newly formed Tobol´sk Dragoon Regiment, had less difficulty keeping their privileged status than Fëdor’s, who held on to their traditional way of life as deti boiarskie running settlements. Thus, biographical and microhistorical approaches permit both to problematize and corroborate the “grand narratives” of social history based on traditional terminology and focusing on state policy.
THE CULTURE OF THE NOBILITY OF KYIV PROVINCE IN THE FIRST HALF OF THE 19 TH CENTURY
The authors made an attempt to explore the particularities of the economic development and the financial standing of the Nobility of Kyiv Province in the First Half of the 19th Century. The Ukrainian nobility originates from the senior Cossack officers (starshyna) and the Right-Bank gentry (shliakhta), who received privileges and began to serve to the czarist government of the Russian Empire. The noblemen had to meet the requirements of their privileged position, including their activity in every sphere: economic, financial, credit, educational. The attitude of the imperial authorities towards the gentry depended on their loyalty; in case of such loyalty, the gentry were granted legal supremacy and financial benefits, even under conditions of persistent state budget deficits. A favorable attitude to the idleness and eternal leisure contributed to deepening crisis in nurturing palette of high aristocratic feelings. In this context, particular attention was paid to the significant influence of the legal and economic advantages of the Kyiv Province nobility on further development of this privileged social stratum.
By Honor Bound: State and Society in Early Modern Russia
Slavic and East European Journal, 2000
In this superb, thought-provoking, exceptionally well-written and stimulating monograph, Nancy Shields Kollmann presents an ambitious and revisionist analysis of the relationship of state and society in Muscovy during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, which significantly advances our understanding of early modern Russian history. Kollmann shares a growing consensus that while Muscovite autocratic theory claimed a monopoly of power, in practice geography, scant resources, and poor communications inhibited the state, as elsewhere in Europe, from exercising that power universally. Moreover, the central government understood its own limits. To husband By Honor Bound is on all accounts an outstanding monograph, which will provide much food for thought not only to specialists in Muscovy, but to all students of Russian history. It deserves the highest possible recomendation.
The education of aristocracy in Croatia and Slavonia in the 19th century
Hungarian educational research journal, 2023
The author analyses the education of aristocracy in Croatia and Slavonia from the late 18th century until 1918. Education played a vital role in the mindset and lifestyle of aristocracy, and in retaining its elite position in the political, social, cultural, economic and military aspect, to name just some. Aristocrats were trained to become the pillars of society, they had private tutors and teachers, and often finished the gymnasium but did not necessarily continue their schooling at a higher level. Reforms of enlightened absolutism, which opened career chances for lesser nobility and burghers and the rise of well-educated and economically successful modern middle class after 1848, forced the aristocracy to keep pace. However, it still preferred traditional studies of philosophy, law or, to a much lesser extent, theology and was losing its dominant role in the field of arts as well.
The Europeanized elite in Russia, 1762-1825 : public role and subjective self
Nothern Illinois University press, 2016
This illuminating volume provides a new understanding of the subjective identity and public roles of Russia's Europeanized elite between the years of 1762 and 1825. Through a series of rich case studies, the editors reconstruct the social group's worldview, complex identities, conflicting loyalties, and evolving habits. The studies explore the institutions that shaped these nobles, their attitude to state service, the changing patterns of their family life, their emotional world, religious beliefs, and sense of time. The creation of a Europeanized elite in Russia was a state-initiated project that aimed to overcome the presumed "backwardness" of the country. The evolution of this social group in its relations to political authority provides insight into the fraught identity of a country developing on the geopolitical periphery of Europe. In contrast to postcolonial studies that explore the imposition of political, social, and cultural structures on colonized societies, this multidisciplinary volume explores the patterns of behavior and emotion that emerge from the processes of self-Europeanization. The Europeanized Elite in Russia, 1762 1825 will appeal to scholars and general readers interested in Russian history and culture, particularly in light of current political debates about globalization and widening social inequality in Europe.