M. N. Katkov and K. P. Pobedonostsev: “friends-enemies” around Alexander III

The paper is focused on the history of the relationship between two most prominent Russian conservatives of the second half of nineteenth century, M. N. Katkov and K. P. Pobedonostsev, in the reign of Alexander III. The views of two political leaders are being analyzed, as well as their positions in governmental spheres, their attitudes towards the policy of reforms, and their common fight against the liberals within the government. The main goal of the article is to reveal the reasons for the conflicts between two conservative politicians. The author demonstrates that both politicians shared some common views. At the same time, they occupied radically different positions within the conservative camp which made impossible their stable cooperation. The conflict between Katkov and Pobedonostsev anticipated numerous splinters within the conservative camp in Russia which caused the defeat of this political movement.