The new book by the prominent historian V.V. Tikhonov is devoted to the study of historical science during the Stalin period. Ideological control over the study of the country’s history served as a means of shaping public consciousness and as an instrument of political governance. The historical past was repeatedly revised in response to changes in the political situation, as well as repressive and ideological campaigns. Tikhonov employs the metaphor of the “useful past” to illustrate how history was transformed into historical ideology. Particular attention is paid to the intervention of I.V. Stalin and the highest representatives of power in historical science. Tikhonov introduces what can be called a “management pyramid” of historical science, headed by Stalin and the top leadership, followed by historians leading various historical trends, and then ordinary historians. This structure created a top-down direction for historical research. The book demonstrates meticulous attention to detail across a broad scope. Stalin’s leadership in rewriting the history of the 1917 revolution and the Civil War is described in depth. The author examines Stalin’s participation in editing history textbooks, the creation of the “Short Course in the History of the All-Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks)”, and the influence of this book on historical science. The role of anniversaries and the creation of a cult of historical heroes aligned with state policy is also analyzed. Additionally, the book discusses repressions against historians and the methods of incentivizing scientists. Tikhonov convincingly shows how historical science was controlled and the past was reshaped to serve the political and ideological goals of Stalin’s government. The historian concludes with an analysis of the long-term influence of the Stalinist historical paradigm on Soviet historical science.
historical science; I.V. Stalin; history of the Civil War; history of the All- Union Communist Party (Bolsheviks); ideology; politics; ideological campaigns.