Pochvennichestvo
Encyclopedia
Pochvennichestvo was a late 19th century Russia
n nativist movement tied in closely with its contemporary ideology, the Slavophile
movement. Both were for the complete emancipation of serfdom
, and both campaigns stressed a strong desire to return to the idealized past of Russia's history, and both were driven towards anti-Europeanization. In addition, they also chose a complete rejection of the Nihilist
, Classical Liberal, and Marxist movements of the time. The primary focus was instead to change Russia
n society
through the humbling of the self, and social reform through the Russian Orthodox Church
, rather than the radical implementations of the intelligentsia
.
The major differences between the Slavophiles and the Pochvennichestvo were that the prior detested the reforms of Peter the Great while the latter recognized the benefits of the notorious ruler, while still maintaining a strong patriotic mentality for the Russian
people. Another major difference was that some of the movement's supporters adopted a strong anti-semitic stance.
The concept had its roots in the works of the German
philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder
which focused primarily on emphasizing the differences amongst people and regional cultures. In addition it rejected the universalism
of the enlightenment period. The most prominent Russian intellectuals who founded this ideology were Nikolay Strakhov
, Nikolay Danilevsky and Konstantin Leontyev.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky also adhered to it, and expresses these views in his novel Demons. The ideology was later adopted by Alexander III
and Nicholas II
.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n nativist movement tied in closely with its contemporary ideology, the Slavophile
Slavophile
Slavophilia was an intellectual movement originating from 19th century that wanted the Russian Empire to be developed upon values and institutions derived from its early history. Slavophiles were especially opposed to the influences of Western Europe in Russia. There were also similar movements in...
movement. Both were for the complete emancipation of serfdom
Serfdom
Serfdom is the status of peasants under feudalism, specifically relating to Manorialism. It was a condition of bondage or modified slavery which developed primarily during the High Middle Ages in Europe and lasted to the mid-19th century...
, and both campaigns stressed a strong desire to return to the idealized past of Russia's history, and both were driven towards anti-Europeanization. In addition, they also chose a complete rejection of the Nihilist
Nihilist movement
The Nihilist movement was a Russian movement in the 1860s which rejected all authorities. It is derived from the Latin word "nihil", which means "nothing"...
, Classical Liberal, and Marxist movements of the time. The primary focus was instead to change Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n society
Society
A society, or a human society, is a group of people related to each other through persistent relations, or a large social grouping sharing the same geographical or virtual territory, subject to the same political authority and dominant cultural expectations...
through the humbling of the self, and social reform through the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
, rather than the radical implementations of the intelligentsia
Intelligentsia
The intelligentsia is a social class of people engaged in complex, mental and creative labor directed to the development and dissemination of culture, encompassing intellectuals and social groups close to them...
.
The major differences between the Slavophiles and the Pochvennichestvo were that the prior detested the reforms of Peter the Great while the latter recognized the benefits of the notorious ruler, while still maintaining a strong patriotic mentality for the Russian
Russians
The Russian people are an East Slavic ethnic group native to Russia, speaking the Russian language and primarily living in Russia and neighboring countries....
people. Another major difference was that some of the movement's supporters adopted a strong anti-semitic stance.
The concept had its roots in the works of the German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
philosopher Johann Gottfried Herder
Johann Gottfried Herder
Johann Gottfried von Herder was a German philosopher, theologian, poet, and literary critic. He is associated with the periods of Enlightenment, Sturm und Drang, and Weimar Classicism.-Biography:...
which focused primarily on emphasizing the differences amongst people and regional cultures. In addition it rejected the universalism
Universalism
Universalism in its primary meaning refers to religious, theological, and philosophical concepts with universal application or applicability...
of the enlightenment period. The most prominent Russian intellectuals who founded this ideology were Nikolay Strakhov
Nikolay Strakhov
Nikolay Nikolayevich Strakhov, also transliterated as Nikolai Strahov , was a Russian philosopher, publicist and literary critic who shared the ideals of pochvennichestvo. He was a long-time friend and correspondent of Leo Tolstoy....
, Nikolay Danilevsky and Konstantin Leontyev.
Fyodor Dostoyevsky also adhered to it, and expresses these views in his novel Demons. The ideology was later adopted by Alexander III
Alexander III of Russia
Alexander Alexandrovich Romanov , historically remembered as Alexander III or Alexander the Peacemaker reigned as Emperor of Russia from until his death on .-Disposition:...
and Nicholas II
Nicholas II of Russia
Nicholas II was the last Emperor of Russia, Grand Prince of Finland, and titular King of Poland. His official short title was Nicholas II, Emperor and Autocrat of All the Russias and he is known as Saint Nicholas the Passion-Bearer by the Russian Orthodox Church.Nicholas II ruled from 1894 until...
.