Vol 15, No 1 (2016)

The article is oneof the researches, related to the study of the scientific problem of thehistorical sources classification. The purpose of this article is the analysis of the process of achieving the solution to the problem of the classification at the present stage of the domestic source studydevelopment. The object of the study is not only the sources but different proposals of historians solving the problem of the classification. This study focuses on the methodological proposals of a number of prominent Russian historians such as L.N. Pushkarev, I.D. Kovalchenko, O.M. Medushevskaya, A.G. Tartakovsky, etc. They developed fundamental approaches to the science-based solution to the problem of historical sources classification and created a new classification scheme. Rejecting the division of historical sources into documentaries (“residues”) and narrative (“tradition”) popular from the mid XIXth century, the author of the article supports the idea of Russian historians of the 1970-1980s of dividing all sources at two levels. On the first level-typology -there is taken into account the syntactic (signed) aspect of information historical sources that define the playback of certain groups (real, visual, phonic and written). The second level of the division of historical written sources into the “species” was based on the recognition of the leading role of their social functionality in the period of their existence in the past and, in general, on the pragmatic aspect of their information. The author identifies five kinds of historical written sources, stressing that each of them is created for one (basic) function, but may in some cases perform other (side) functions. Defining multifunctional sources as their immanent quality, the author stresses that, in addition to the social function, all of them implement an epistemological function, being the basis of historical knowledge.

The «Modest causes theory», aimed at the gradual peaceful work for the people and among the people in order to facilitate its position in the difficult conditions of the market economy, lost its popularity among the Russian intelligentsia in the early twentieth century. The socio-economic and socio-political situation in the country had changed, so it became apparent that the growth of the capitalism required not just adaptation of the people to the new conditions, but the creation of a new program of fundamental transformation of the society. Under these conditions the enlightenment ideas did not cause any response from the radical members of the intellectual elite and remained the lotof that part of society, which traditionally stood for the former convictions. Nevertheless, the echoes of the «modest causes theory» could be heard at that time in the works of G.P. Sazonov, one of the famous journalists and economists, who is almost forgotten nowadays. The article analyzes his activities as the trustee of the St. Petersburg Peter and Paul municipal hospital which were aimed to improve the work of this medical institution.

This article deals with the phenomenon of «specialist-baiting» that actively developed in the early history of the Soviet Union due to the difficult conditions of home politics. This phenomenon obtained its new meaning just after the October Revolution and reached the peak of its development between the 1920-1930s. The conflict between workers and specialists should be valued in the contest of the «revolutionary spirit» of the epoch of socialist transformations. The historically based phenomenon of «specialist-baiting» was one of the reasons that were driving the country to the processes of repressions that in the most cases are associated only with the despotism of power. Real industrial problems and conflicts between workers and “old” specialists and managers existed at all the enterprises and were exploited by the government. At the same time the objective existence of that kind of conflicts increased by 1928-1929 that is proved by the fact that workers wrote about it to the main newspaper editorial offices straight from the working place. This fact does demonstrate that the proletariat followed the political course of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks. Ultimately, the New Economic Policy, having used the NEP crisis and the workers and promoted bureaucratic apparatus appeals, gave the way to the politics of industrialization and collectivization.

The effective collaboration between the Russian Federation and Germany at the beginning of the 21st century would be impossible without mutually beneficial economic cooperation of the two countries. The analysis of basic stages in the economic relations, achievements and problems are considered by the author to be important for lining-up an all-round picture of the Russian-German relations in the period under review. The main purpose of this article is the consideration and analysis of the economic aspects in the Russian foreign policy towards Germany. The problem considered in the article is of current importance, because in 2000-2013 the economic collaboration of Russia and the German Federal Republic was brought to a high level, but at the same time some considerable potential of cooperation was not fulfilled. With regard to complementarity of the Russian and German economies and their centuries-old experience of collaboration and mutual financial interest, it is possible to suppose that the economic sphere in particular would be a basis of optimization of the Russian-German relations in the long term. In such a way, this article deals with the basic directions of the Russian-German economic cooperation in 2000-2013.The contractual legal base of financial relations is examined with the purpose to reveal strengths and weaknesses as well as perspective possibilities of the optimization in the Russian-German relations in the future.

This article deals with the process of establishment and development the Russian revival style in Russian Empire’s architecture of the 19th - early 20th centuries. During this period Russian society experienced intense changes that included innovations in technology, engineering and the art of building. Taking its origin from “Russian-byzantine” style in orthodox church building, the Russian revival style developed as a mixture of tradition and innovation. This eclectic style was inspired by the romantic revival movement of Western Europe and based on the interest in the historic monuments of the nation, especially in examples of pre-Peterine Russian architecture of the 17th century. The historicism of Russian Revival style resonated with the popular nationalism and pan-Slavism of the period. New style became a manifestation of the Russian national idea depicting in stone the specialty and uniqueness of our history and culture. Today the increasing interest to national cultural heritage actualizes the investigations of this extraordinary period of creativity represented by works of such famous architects as V. Stasov, K. Thon, V. Sherwood, I. Ropet and others. The appealing to “Russian-byzantine” style in modern church construction shows the power and vitality of its creative impulse.

The study aims to elucidate the role of the patriotic and peace-making initiatives of the Armenian and Russian Orthodox churches in the Great Patriotic war. It is revealed that in the years of the Great Patriotic war, the two churches united in the struggle of the people against the fascist aggression. In the appeals to the society of financial assistance to the front (raising funds for armored columns) there is clearly shownthepatriotic side ofthe both churchesactivities. The patriotic and peace initiatives taken by the Armenian Apostolic and Russian Orthodox churches in that period influenced the process of strengthening the Armenian-Russian confessional relations in the second half of the XXth - early XXIst centuries, which resulted in the holding of inter-Church dialogues, joint cultural, social and educational projects, including the protection of peace on Earth.

The article analyzes the main myths, under cover of which the political leadership of the United States carries out its plans for the creation of objects and elements of a global missile defense system in close proximity to the borders of Russia, relying on the achievement of strategic military superiority over the Russian Federation. The author states that after the US unilateral withdrawal from the 2001 ABM Treaty in 1972 the American side started to deploy elements of the missile defense system in some European countries, posing a real threat to Russia's national security. The article reveals the utter failure of the imaginary threats that allegedly come from Russia and other countries - “rogue states” against the US. The final conclusion is that the US propaganda campaign, which is forming the image of Russia as an enemy and aggressor, does not contribute to the harmonization of the Russian-American relations. Moreover, it destroys everything positive that has been achieved by our people in previous years.