Where does the Motherland begin: how did the idea of ​​patriotism change in Russia

Write the word “Motherland” with a capital letter. So easily the rules of school grammar become the first official dogmas of patriotism. Love for the Motherland has always been the lever of state control in working with the masses. Patriotism is a fashion trend, political activism, a weapon in internal and external wars, but not a national identity or sentimental feelings for an old photograph of one’s court.

Patriotism is love for the Motherland in the era of nationalism, readiness for any sacrifice in the name of its interests. Sincere patriotism is a driving motivation that cannot be obtained by force, but it is easy to mimic under it. In some historical periods, they tried to take possession of this superweapon, in others they tried to get rid of it. Scientists, historians, poets describe this phenomenon from year to year, but it is known that patriotism is gaining strength and weakening in connection with political events in the country. We decided to figure out how the patriotic idea develops at key moments in history.

prehistory

In Russia, the term “patriot” was first used in the 1812th century by Vice-Chancellor Pyotr Shafirov, in the meaning of “son of the Fatherland.” But until the end of the XNUMXth century, Russian people did not “suffer” too much with patriotism. Even in XNUMX, love for the motherland was the privilege of a narrow circle of nobles, as was the idea of ​​nationalism that was emerging in the ruling classes.

But in 1834, the Minister of Public Education, Sergei Uvarov, identified three fundamental principles of the “official nationality” – Orthodoxy, autocracy, and nationality. From that moment on, Russian patriotism became the official course of tsarist policy. Unfortunately, this led to the defeat in the rights of many other peoples of the empire.

1920-1930: The time of the builders

Degree of patriotism: zero

love the motherland the working class, liberation from the shackles, the gift of power and the whole world to boot.

Immediately after the revolution, the task was to destroy the old world to the ground and build a new one in its place. From the point of view of the construction of buildings, the idea is correct, from the point of view of the worlds, it is doubtful. Patriotism, as one of the signs of autocracy, fell out of favor.

The new people of workers and peasants had no homeland and had to become part of the world proletarian brotherhood. Patriotism was harmful to the cause of world revolution. Therefore, class self-identity came to the fore. It doesn’t matter what skin color you have, the shape of your eyes, your registration address or views on Pushkin – the main thing is that you are a worker. If the party were the Motherland, traditional patriotism would be in vogue.

1930-1940: Time for the Defenders

Degree: tall

love the motherland mothers and children, peaceful fields and clear skies threatened by the enemy.

However, by the end of the 20s, it became finally clear that Russia would have to continue the cause of the world revolution alone. It remained to rally around national unity. Timid patriotic appeals still appeared in Lenin’s last texts. But he either did not want to completely change the situation, or could not.

Stalin took into account the mistakes of his predecessor and revived imperial patriotism for the Soviet people. The turning point came after the first defeats in World War II. The country needed voluntary sacrifices and sincere heroism to stop the enemy.

On July 3, 1941, Stalin, in his speech on the radio, addressed the people: “Brothers and sisters.” From that moment on, traditional patriotism again became the driving force in the struggle for the borders of the Soviet Union.

1950-1970: Loss of vector

Degree: Low

love the motherland that we are better, cleaner, more correct than other countries where there is robbery and banditry.

During the war, patriotism reached unprecedented proportions. But in 1953 Stalin died. Most perceived his death as a personal tragedy – the Motherland was dying before their eyes. But long farewells are unnecessary tears.

In 1956, Khrushchev spoke at the XNUMXth Congress of the CPSU with a speech “On the cult of personality and its consequences.” Imperial patriotism, implicated in the cult of personality, was collapsing, and there was no time to create a new model in its place. The party faced quite different tasks. Hardly anyone took the common truths about “love for the motherland” seriously. People felt lost.

1980-1990: A time of extremes

Degree: either plus or minus

love the motherland a future run by the people, affordable jeans and Coke, prospects.

The economic and political crisis of modern times has coincided with a spiritual crisis. In search of themselves, people began to re-evaluate history. The number of “historical” publications and broadcasts has increased.

Under the conditions of glasnost proclaimed by Gorbachev, opponents of the Soviet system, both dissidents and dilettantes, brought down on the layman streams of “black” historical facts – the real crimes of the Soviet era were inflated to incredible proportions. Suddenly, the citizens of the USSR discovered gaping black holes in the historical fabric of their Motherland. Official patriotism began to fall into these holes.

Gradually, an idea arose: Russia would take advantage of Western experience, introduce market relations and political democracy, and then be able to quickly and painlessly catch up with foreign countries. But in order to abandon the usual way, it was necessary to fall out of love with him.

Those who directed the doubts of the masses in the right direction won the struggle for power.

Young Russia wanted to become an equal partner of the global West, and for this it was necessary to give up an excessive sense of self-importance. As a result, only dreams of tomorrow remained from patriotism. And day after day they broke against the terrible reality of economic collapse.

2000s–present: The time of the young

Degree: average

love the motherland scale, opposition to the West, partnership, breadth, heroes of the past, polite people and what we will show everyone.

By December 31, 1999, Boris Yeltsin had been running the country for eight years and had created the basis of a new economy with private property. In his New Year’s address, the first president of Russia told the people that he was tired. A young and ambitious politician from St. Petersburg, Vladimir Putin, came to the Kremlin.

People froze in anticipation of change, and the political wind has indeed changed. The cabinet of the new president, among the many problems, emphasized the development of youth movements. The vacuum left by the dissolution of the Komsomol began to be replaced by pro-Kremlin movements.

After the time of the oligarchs, young cadres were called to power for the first time. Someone was promised a social lift, while someone was simply engaged in campaigning.

The wave of resistance to the first “orange revolution” in Ukraine picked up these projects, and along the way they brought a lot of positive undertakings. Charitable programs “Youth for Veterans” were organized, flowers were again laid at the monuments, excursions and trips were held, memorials of Military Glory of different eras were created – patriotic education became one of the key areas of educational policy.

The time of change brought the peaks of new economic crises, but in the wake of these events, patriotism no longer needed to be strengthened – people knew what they were enduring for the well-being of the state.

The grand scale of the celebration of victory anniversaries, the 22nd Winter Olympic Games, preparations for the 2018 FIFA World Cup – all this contributes to strengthening the patriotic spirit of the country.

A separate line is the annexation of Crimea – for the first time in 70 years, Russia’s borders have increased thanks to a unique historical precedent – based on the results of a general referendum.