Cossack leader K.A. Bulavin in Russian historiography

In 1707-1708 Kondraty Afanasyevich Bulavin led the Cossack rebellion on the river Don. All the authors writing about Bulavin Rebellion used to estimate personality and actions of its leader. The aim of the paper is to monitor evolution of K.A. Bulavin's image in these evaluations. In the paper the works on historiography are classified in three periods: prerevolutionary (XVIII-XIX cent.), soviet (XX cent.), and modern. Works by A.I. Rigelman, I.I. Golikov, V.B. Bronevskiy, P.P. Lambin, S.M. Soloviev, N.I. Kostomarov, F.D. Kryukov and E.P. Savelyev were used to characterize evaluations given by prerevolutionary historiography. Works by P.N. Krasnov and V.I. Buganov, E.P. Podyuapolskaya, V.I. Lebedev represent soviet period. Post-soviet period is represented by O.G. Usenko, N.A. Mininkov, A.G. Shkvarov. During the investigation several controversial points were revealed. One of them is the study of circumstances around K.A. Bulavin's death. Soviet historical studies proposed for the first time the version of Bulavin's assas-ination (previously the official version of his death was suicide). One more controversial issue is whether Bulavin was supported by the Cossack lieutenant colonel . The settlement of this issue will help to determine the motifs of Bulavin's actions. The prerevolutionary authors were mainly apologists of Peter I politics, therefore they used to give negative evaluations to K.A. Bulavin and his actions, disregarding his biography and personal characteristics. Among these historians we can name A.I. Rigelman, I.I. Golikov, V.B. Bronevskiy, P.P. Lambin, S.M. Soloviev, N.I. Kostomarov. Soviet chronologists broadened the notion of K.A Bulavin's personality by leading discussions and publishing new archive materials. Researchers of antigovernment movements, and Bulavin Revolt in particular (E.P. Podyuapolskaya, V.I. Buganov, V.I. Lebedev), were especially notable during that period. V.I. Buganov paid special attention to outstanding personal characteristics of the Rebellion Leader. Modern historiographers continue publishing archive materials related to the rebellion and propose new hypothesis on Bulavin's origin. O.G. Usenko, unlike other historians, sees personal rather than social motifs in Bulavin's actions. The Cossack chieftain was driven by a personal offense and not by the willingness to defend the Cossack freemen. A.G. Shkvarov was the first to state Bulavin Revolt as a part of Old Believers movement. Therefore, Bulavin was led by religious motifs, although it is still not clear whether Bulavin himself was an Old Believer. Particular attention should be paid to the works on Cossacks history by F.D. Kryukov, E.P. Savelyev and P.N. Krasnov, representing Bulavin as a splendid hero, who defended Cossacks' rights from the governmental oppression. In general, we can state the scarcity of information on the Cossack leader.

Keywords

Authors

References