FORMATION AND ACTIVITY OF ASTRAKHAN RUSSIAN PATRIOTIC SOCIETY AT THE BEGINNING OF THE XX CENTURY
Authors: Mikhailova Elizaveta M. 
Published: November 2024

The beginning of the XX century in Russia was marked by revolutionary events that acquired a radical character. The seemingly unshakable foundations of the traditional society were crumbling, and political forces that opposed the norms of state and social organization that had been developed for centuries became more active. The main reason for this phenomenon was seen by right-wing conservative parties and organizations in the destruction of traditional moral values. Public educational organizations created under the right-wing parties were called upon to revive such values and strengthen the patriotic feelings in the public consciousness. Such an organization was Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society, created under the auspices of Astrakhan People’s Monarchist Party.

The purpose of the presented research is to analyze the evolvement and priorities of Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society, established as an educational public organization.

Materials and methods. The work uses both general scientific methods of analysis and synthesis, as well as special historical methods – historical-genetic, problem-chronological, historical-comparative ones. The source basis for the research was the statutory and program documents, periodicals, archival materials. The methodological principles of the analysis are the principles of consistency, historicism, and objectivity.

Research results. Based on the analysis of periodicals and archival documents, the paper analyzes the process of opening the Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society. The participation of the local political elite and clergy in this process is considered, indicating the support of the Society’s activities by well-known persons. The targets of the created public organization and its main program provisions are analyzed. Based on the comparative method, the conceptual attitudes of the Society similar to the right-wing conservative parties were identified. The composition and the structure of the organization in question are considered. The main directions in Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society’s activity are singled out, which manifested themselves in organizing fairly regular spiritual, religious and educational readings, interviews, thematic lectures, opening the library and forming its book fund, disseminating religious, spiritual and patriotic literature. The assessment of Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society by the authorities is clarified.

Conclusions. A comprehensive analysis of formation and activities carried out by Astrakhan Russian Patriotic Society enables us to conclude that educational activities occupied a significant place among the priorities of Astrakhan right-monarchist Party. To do this, the latter, with the support of the local conservative elite and the clergy, created a public organization that was engaged in religious, spiritual, moral and political education of the masses. With the aim of strengthening traditional values among the people, such organizations, through educational activities, tried to prevent the destructive trends that were gaining strength in the Russian society at the beginning of the XX century.