Unprecedented blackmail in Russia.: an incident at the graduation exams in the Orel boys. Gymnasium (1899)

This article deals with the procedure of graduation exams in the Russian gymnasiums at the end of the 19th and the beginning of 20th centuries. It is based on previously unknown archival documents. The scandal at the graduation exams in the Orel Boys. Gymnasium in 1899 is thoroughly analyzed. The main focus is given to everyday relationships between gymnasium students, teaching staff and the gymnasium.s administration. Also the bureaucratic mechanism of activities of the Ministry of Public Education.s institutions is examined. The article concludes that the state system of gymnasium graduation exams strongly influenced the mentality and behavior of the gymnasium students.