Russian History Education in the Russian Media

Abstract

The politicizing of Russian history textbooks in the media demonstrates that Kremlin-proposed core textbooks in Russian history, and imperatives of the history standards to promote patriotism and rejection of Western models of history education, signal a new ideological transformation in Russian history education in Russia. It is characterised by the historiography of nation-building, patriotism and the celebration of historically significant key events in the evolution of Russia as a powerful state. The media analysis demonstrates the changing geo-political climate affecting history education reforms, especially prescribed Russian history textbooks across Russia. The content of Russian history textbooks has emerged as a hotly debated topic. Russian history textbooks have been affected by both a dominant ideology of neo-conservatism, and nation-building. As a national ideology, it aims to promote nationalism and patriotism, and an increasing control of the content of prescribed Russian history textbooks. The key issues in history education debate are the new generation of the history curriculum, the quality and quality of prescribed Russian history textbooks, the national standards in history education and single historical-cultural standard for the Russian history textbooks

I cannot forecast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma; but perhaps there is a key. That key is Russian national interest (Winston Churchill, BBC Broadcast, London, 1st October 1939).