The phenomenon of «Russian europeanism» and its early development in terms of modern historiography

This paper presents the background of the term «Europeanism» and its specificity in the Russian context. In contrast to Europe Europeanism emerged in the 40s of the XIXth century in the Russian Empire and was perceived as a Western path of development, an introduction to European culture, rather than an integration project with Western countries. The author presents the views of reputable scientists (A. Chubarian, V. Shchukin, V. Khorev, V. Kantor), revealing the nature and manifestations of the phenomenon in Russia. For most historians Europeanism is primarily an intellectual phenomenon associated with the work of consciousness, thought, perception of an individual, his values and identity within the European community. There are five main processes: perception of European culture and the Europeans, the awareness of belonging to the European cultural community, the development of personal consciousness and culture, the assimilation of European ideas and values. The author cites two periodization Europeanism in Russia. The first one (V. Chubarian) is based on the perception of community between Russia and Europe, the second (V. Shchukin) is on the relationship between the Russian «superfluous people» with the Moscow society and authority. The article describes the debate about the possibility of Europeanism in Muscovy. For most authors (V. Soloviev, A. Gurevich, B. Lopukhov, V. Shchukin, V. Kantor) basic and irrefutable argument in favor of the Russian eEuropeanism is to adopt Christianity. Final part of the work is devoted to the first manifestations of Europeanism in the XVIIth century. Historians have noted its emergence among the Moscow elite men (I. Khvorostinin, O. Nashchokin, G. Kotoshikhin, V. Golittsyn) activity, their thinking and everyday behavior. Europeanism was considered as something beyond the scope of tradition, and sometimes it manifested itself in opposition to the established norms and rules.