State policy of Russia in relation to foreigners in the second half of the XIX century (on the example of the education system of N.I. Ilminsky)

This paper analyzes the historical significance of the system of Orthodox enlightenment in relation to population of non-Russian aborigines in Russia, implemented by N.I. Ilminsky. The essence of it was to involve personnel from among non-Russian aborigines themselves, native speakers of their native language and national worldview in the process of education. N.I. Ilminsky postulates humanism and tolerance in Christianization as the most important foundations for the adaptation of non-Russian peoples in the Russian multinational and multi-confessional state. The author analyzes the prerequisites that led to the need to develop original approaches to the implementation of enlightenment, including poor knowledge of the Russian language by non-Russian aborigines, lack of writing and low literacy in general. The article reveals the basic principles, methodological approaches to the content of the educational mission in the environment of non-Russian aborigines. It is emphasized that the education system, developed by N.I. Ilminsky, expressed the essence of the national concept in relation to non-Russian aborigines, aimed at accelerating their introduction to Russian worldview values.