Pavel Nikolayevich Milyukov, whose biography, political activity and work are the subject of this review, was the most prominent and largest representative of Russian liberalism at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. His career and historical works are indicative in the sense that they reveal the features of the development of the era of this time, when our country experienced the most difficult domestic and foreign political upheavals that changed the course of its development for the next century.
Some biography facts
Pavel Milyukov was born in 1859 in Moscow. He came from a noble family, received a good education at the Moscow gymnasium. Then he entered the Faculty of History and Philology at Moscow University, where he became interested in history. His teachers were Vinogradov and Klyuchevsky. The latter largely determined the interests of the future scientist, although later they differed in their views on the history of Russia. Also at this time, another prominent historian of the time in question, Solovyov, had a great influence on him. At the same time, Pavel Milyukov became interested in liberation ideas, for which he later got into trouble with the police.
Historical perspectives
He was greatly influenced by the historical concepts of his teachers. However, already when choosing the topic of the master's thesis, the future historian strongly disagreed with his teacher Klyuchevsky. Pavel Milyukov developed his own concept of the history of Russia. In his opinion, its development was determined by the action of several factors at once. He denied the principle of highlighting any one beginning in determining the development trend of the historical process.
The scientist attached great importance to the topics of borrowings and the national identity of peoples. He believed that normal development is possible in the context of the cultural dialogue of countries and peoples. Pavel Milyukov believed that the peculiarity of the history of Russia was that it sought to reach the Western European level of development. The researcher argued that the state played a big role in the formation of society. He believed that it largely determined the formation of the social system and social institutions.
About colonization
This topic occupied an important place in the historical concepts of Solovyov and Klyuchevsky. They attached fundamental importance to the geographical conditions of the people's residence, the influence of climate, waterways on the development of trade and economy. Pavel Milyukov accepted Solovyov's idea of the struggle between forest and steppe in the history of Russia. At the same time, relying on the latest archaeological research, he largely corrected the developments of his teacher. The scientist took part in archaeological excavations, went on expeditions, in addition, he wasa member of the Geographical Natural Science Society, so the knowledge gained helped to shed light on this interesting topic in science in a new way.
Master's thesis
Milyukov Pavel Nikolayevich chose the theme of Peter's transformations for his work. However, his teacher advised him to study the letters of the North Russian monasteries. The scientist refused, which was the reason for their quarrel during the defense of the work, which was called "The State Economy in Russia in the First Quarter of the 18th Century and the Reform of Peter the Great." In it, he argued the idea that the first emperor carried out his transformative activities spontaneously, without a premeditated plan. According to the researcher, all his reforms were dictated by the needs of the war. In addition, Milyukov Pavel Nikolayevich believed that his transformations in the public sphere were determined by the need for tax and financial reforms. For this work, the members of the academic council wanted to immediately award the candidate a doctorate, but Klyuchevsky opposed this decision, which led to the rupture of their friendly relations.
Travel
Of great importance in the development of Milyukov as a historian was his participation in archaeological expeditions. He traveled to Bulgaria, where he taught history and also excavated. In addition, he lectured in Chicago, Boston, and some European cities. He also taught in Moscow educational institutions, however, for participation in liberalcircles lost his position. In 1904-1905, he actively participates in the social movement: for example, he takes part in the Paris Conference, represents the organizations "Union of Liberation", "Union of Unions" in European countries. Such an active social and political position determined the fact that he led the party when the State Duma was created in Russia.
Political career 1905-1917
Milyukov Pavel Nikolaevich, leader of the Cadets, became one of the most famous political figures of the era. He adhered to moderate liberal views and believed that Russia should be a constitutional monarchy. During these years, his name was considered one of the most famous and at the same time high-profile in public and political life.
The last circumstance is explained by the fact that he made loud announcements and accusations. He himself and his supporters positioned themselves as opposition to the tsarist government. During the First World War, he advocated maintaining obligations to the allies, that is, for conducting hostilities to the bitter end. Subsequently, he accused the country's leadership of conspiring with the Germans, which largely contributed to the sharp intensification of opposition sentiments in society.
After the February Revolution, he became Minister of Foreign Affairs in the Provisional Government. While in this post, he continued to make loud speeches about the need to wage war until victory. He was a supporter of the transition of the Black Sea straits of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles to Russia. However, these statements are notbrought him popularity at the time: on the contrary, his statement led to the growth of opposition in a society that was tired of the war, which the Bolsheviks took advantage of, provoking protests against the government.
This led to the fact that the leader of the Kadet Party resigned, but accepted the more modest post of Minister of Education. He supported the Kornilov movement, was elected to the Constituent Assembly, which never began work. After the events described above, he emigrated to Europe, where he continued his active social and political activities, and also began publishing and republishing his works.
Life in exile
A prominent place among the Russian emigration was occupied by Milyukov Pavel Nikolaevich. “The History of the Second Russian Revolution”, one of his works written during the years of emigration, is proof that even abroad he was very keenly and keenly aware of the changes taking place in our country. At first, he was a supporter of armed opposition to the Bolsheviks, but later changed his point of view and began to argue that it was necessary to undermine the new system from the inside. For this, many of his adherents retreated from him. In exile, the scientist edited the main newspaper of the Russian intelligentsia - Latest News. Despite his oppositional views, the historian nevertheless supported Stalin's foreign policy, in particular, he approved of the war with Finland. During the Second World War, he supported patriotic sentiments and supported the actions of the Red Army.
Someworks
Milyukov Pavel Nikolaevich, whose books have become a notable phenomenon in Russian historiography, in exile took up the reprinting of one of the main works of his life, dedicated to the history of Russia. Several volumes of "Essays on the History of Russian Culture" became a noticeable phenomenon in historical science. In them, the author considered the historical process as a combination of the action of several social phenomena: schools, religions, political structures. In them, he attached great importance to the country's borrowing of the norms of Western Europe.
Among the publications of the politician, one can also name the essay "Living Pushkin", collections of articles "From the History of the Russian Intelligentsia" and "Year of Struggle", the book "Armed Peace and Arms Limitation" and others.
Milyukov Pavel Nikolaevich, whose "Memoirs" summed up his life, died in 1943. This work remained unfinished, nevertheless it is important for understanding the formation of the historian's personality. He wrote it from memory, having no archival materials at hand, since his library in Paris was sealed. However, relying on his memory, he quite accurately conveyed the path of his formation as a scientist and public and political figure.
Meaning
Milyukov left behind a noticeable mark both in science and in public life. His works are an important component of Russian historiography. The theory of the scientist about the socio-historical process is original, and although he largely followed the ideas of the state school andhis teacher, nevertheless departed from their views on very many points. It should also be noted here that his social and political activities affected his historical works. His style and language cannot be called exclusively scientific: journalistic vocabulary periodically slips into them. Milyukov's political activity was quite loud, and therefore it can be said that he left a noticeable mark in socio-political thought.
