The imperial politics of memory in the Caucasus: mechanisms for constructing mass historical consciousness (19th - early 20th centuries)

Abstract

The article examines the imperial politics of memory in the Caucasus. The authors for the first time in Russian historiography research into how the official historical concept of the accession of the Caucasus to Russia was formed within the time frame of the 19th and early 20th centuries, as well as its manifestation in narrative practices and memorial activities initiated by imperial authorities. Through the methodology of memory studies it is demonstrated that historical memory was affected by historical narratives, archival documents, museum collections, monuments, historical buildings and sights kept intact, private and collective burial grounds as well as "commemoration acts", i.e. religious and public events related to significant dates. These forms of memory politics were filled up with heroes from the imperial pantheon and historical plots describing details of Russian rule in the Caucasus. The authors arrive at the conclusion that the actions of official authorities responsible for forming mass historical consciousness were aimed at cultivating imperial values, such as honouring the sovereigns, strong Russian power and indestructible imperial order. Moreover, an entitlement to select plots for the narratives were based on class preferences. The privilege to manifest their historical memory was granted to but a few social groups. This approach inevitably narrowed the target audience for imperial politics of memory and reduced it to an artificial ideological project which was doomed to quit the historical arena as soon as its financial and ideological support stops coming from the imperial power