Modern historiography of the historical memory of the Civil War (1918–1922) in Russia

The article presents the results of studying the historical memory of the Civil War. The aim of the publication is to establish the degree of development of the problem of historical memory about the events of 1918-1922 that occurred in Russia in modern historiography. The methodological basis of the analysis is the principle of interdisciplinarity and the concept of collective memory; on their basis, historiography is considered as transforming under the influence of the era to which it belongs. The phenomenological method was used; it made it possible to analyze historical knowledge as a phenomenon and a cultural phenomenon. The personifying method made it possible to characterize the specifics of each author's views and contribution to the study of the topic. In modern historiography, an opinion was established that the Civil War was fratricidal. The country was spurred to this event by the First World War, which aggravated socio-economic contradictions, and then by the Great Russian Revolution. Modern authors see the confrontation of 1918-1922 as more negative than heroic and positive. It was established that the idea of the Civil War as a national tragedy is integrated into historical memory. The nterpretation of the 1918-1922 events in Russian history continues to be ambiguous; some authors pay attention to the patriotism of the "White", some to the heroism of the "Red Movement", others are inclined to rehabilitate all participants in the conflict. Contradictions in assessing the essence and results of the confrontation between the parties during the Civil War (1918-1922) have not currently been overcome, and "memory wars" continue. Currently, the historiography of memory is undergoing a stage of transformation, which is due both to new methodological approaches to its study and to an understanding of the importance for people's self-identification both in relation to their past and in relation to the present. The cultural turn at the turn of the 21st century led to an intensification of the study of memorial sites and commemorative practices as a way of preserving the memory of experiences. Researchers talk about the possibility of using the "memorial turn" to form collective memory in the process of implementing state historical policy; academic science is called upon to contribute to the formation of a national memory, free from myths and prejudices constructed by politicians. It is emphasized that historiography can solve not only scientific, but also social problems; contribute to the formation of value guidelines that help people's self-determination in relation to the common past, which is a factor of collective identity based on knowledge, and not constructs created on the basis of outdated political beliefs and contradictions previous years. Researchers see the main drawback of Soviet historiography in ideologization, at the same time they recognize its role in creating the basis for modern state memory policy. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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