The Politics of History: Russian Historians and the Memory of the Great Patriotic War

Abstract

This article explores the role of Russian historians in shaping the national memory of the Great Patriotic War. It examines how various historiographical approaches have influenced the portrayal of the war in Russian culture, education, and politics. The research discusses the ways in which Russian historians, from the Soviet era to the present, have contributed to the state-sponsored narrative of the war as a defining moment in Russian national identity. By analyzing key works of historical scholarship and state-led commemorations, the paper argues that the politics of memory surrounding the war continue to serve as a powerful tool for shaping national consciousness in contemporary Russia.