The concept of the «Peasant revolution of 1905–1907» by A.V. Shestakov

Abstract

Introduction. In recent decades there has been a process of rethinking the revolutionary events of the early twentieth century. Among the new approaches to the scientific vision of this period is the concept of the peasant revolution of V.P. Danilov. However, a similar approach to explaining the revolutionary events of the last century, long before Danilov in the 1920’s, was proposed by historian Andriy Shestakov. The presented article proposes to deepen the topic of forming the theory of peasant revolution. The purpose of the article is to reveal the content of the scientific concept of the Peasant Revolution of 1905-1907, developed by Andriy Shestakov.

Results. A.V.Shestakov singled out the peasant revolution of 1905-1907 as an independent social phenomenon. The reason for this revolution was a complex of socio-economic problems, first of all, the crisis of land provision of the peasantry, the fiscal policy of the state and the presence of feudal remnants. During the period 1905-1907 the scientist identified two main revolutionary forces: industrial workers and peasantry.

However, he saw the peasantry as an independent political force. Peasant performances covered half of the districts of the Russian Empire, and the epicenter of speeches was Ukraine. The main purpose of the peasantry was the mastery of the land of the landlords.

The organizational force of the revolutionary movement was the stairs of villagers, in which peasants made decisions about their political behavior. At the same time, Shestakov also noted the spontaneous manifestations of the peasant struggle. Political parties on the behavior of the peasantry, according to the scientist, had no decisive influence. Therefore, the conclusion is legitimate on the independence of the revolutionary struggle of the peasantry. Peasant revolution failed to achieve its goal. However, the results of the revolution were the sale of the landlords of their lands and the purchase of it by the peasants, raising wages in agriculture, the introduction by the government of the relocation program of peasants to free land, the growth of political consciousness of the peasantry.

The article broadens the scientific idea of the revolution of 1905-1907 and the origins and contents of the concept of the peasant revolution, shows the possibility of its application in modern conditions.

Conclusions. The concept of the peasant revolution of 1905-1907 by A.V. Shestakov implies a vision of the revolutionary struggle of the peasantry as an independent phenomenon, a separate revolution - peasant. The interpretation of A.V.Shestakov’s history of the revolution of 1905-1907 looks convincing. The concept of Shestakov, created in the 1920’s, is similar to the concept of the Great Peasant Revolution of 1902-1922, the scientific school of V.P.Danilov, which in modern times is presented as "new knowledge". This situation confirms the correspondence of the theoretical heritage of A.V. Shestakov to the current level of scientific knowledge.