Aim. To identify the causes and factors of the transformation of the New Economic Policy (NEP) from an anti-crisis model to a crisis one. Methodology. The main content of the study includes the analysis of the main economic and financial crises of the 1920s from the standpoint of the recovery model of economic development. The research was conducted using factor analysis and the comparative method. Results. The crises of the NEP period prove to have a structural character. Research implications. The findings contribute to the understanding of the causes of the NEP curtailment. The research shows the relationship between the objective and subjective factors in the introduction, functioning and curtailment of the NEP.

Aim. To reveal the features of the political moods of the Russian peasantry in the first years of the New Economic Policy and their impact on the socio-political situation in the country. Methodology. The research was conducted using the analysis and comparison of documentary materials of state institutions (the Council of People’s Commissars, the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party, the United State Political Administration), revealing the events that took place in Russia in 1921-1923 in the context of the early implementation of the New Economic Policy. The research follows the principle of historicism and based on the use of a systematic method of research. Results. The Russian peasantry did not immediately and ambiguously adopt the New Economic Policy, because, even though its separate elements were intended for establishing civil peace, the abuse of power by the local authorities “devalued” this plan; as a result, the New Economic Policy (1920s) can be considered only a short truce between the authorities and the peasantry. Research implications. Original scientific material has been obtained that can be used as the basis for special courses on the socio-economic history of Russia and on the history of the Russian peasantry in the conditions of revolutionary crises.

Aim. To study new views on marriage and family values and their impact on the premarital and marital behavior of the population, intra-family relations and demographic parameters of the family during the New Economic Policy (NEP). Methodology. Using legislative and normative-legal, statistical and sociological sources, the research analyzes the transformation in the RSFSR of traditional views on the age of marriage, its motivation, the nature of the relationship between husband and wife, parents and children, older and younger children in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR). Particular attention is paid to the contradictions between the new and traditional family values, the crisis phenomena in the traditional marriage and family relations, the peculiarities of the demographic development of the family. The research was conducted using historical-comparative, historical-chronological, demographic and statistical methods. Results. The spread of new views on marriage and family relations in the RSFSR contributed to a change in the marital, family and demographic behavior of the population, the spread of simple families and a reduction in the size and number of children of the family. The features of the population's views on the values of health and their impact on the demographic development of the family are considered. Despite the significant changes in the 1920s, the Russian family remained mainly traditional. The changes in the formation and development of the Russian family corresponded to the demographic transition with the decline in the birth rate and mortality rates characteristic of this period. Nevertheless, these indicators still remained high, which reflected the nature of the traditional type of population reproduction. Research implications. The study expands the study of the demographic transition, and shows the features of its development in the years of the NEP.

Aim. To analyze the historical and philosophical concepts of A. M. Kollontai, whose true merit as a social philosopher-innovator lies in her ability to expand Marxism with a “female” content, combining the basic ideas of Marxism and feminism during the New Economic Policy’s period. Methodology. The research was conducted using a descriptive method, historical and philosophical analysis of the literary and journalistic heritage of A. M. Kollontai. Results. The analysis of the main works of A. M. Kollontai shows that she proposed not only to include women in the process of political governance, but also to achieve a radical socio-psychological change of men, so that they would stop seeing women only as an object and begin to treat them as independent persons. Research implications. A. M. Kollontai’s project centers around the careful work of each individual in transforming first the family and then the social relationships as a whole. This understanding of the gender approach can prove especially effective in the contemporary social reality.

Aim. To identify specific mechanisms and logistic chains of Tocharian migrations across the steppes of Eurasia for one and a half thousand years. Methodology. The research was conducted using a comprehensive analysis of genetic, anthropological and archaeological data. Results. The findings show that the Tochars migrated from the area of the Danubian culture of Lengyel primarily to the area of the Trypillian culture, and then - to the steppes of Eurasia. Research implications. The funeral rite, when a dead body is in an elongated position and orientated to the East, can be considered as specifically Tocharian, as indicated by the genome codes of the remains. Additionally, the findings specify the chronological framework of the existence of the specified rite in each of the local regions of the Great Steppe.

Aim. To conduct a historical study on the role of the Novgorod Mikhailo-Klopsky Monastery in the history of the late period of the Novgorod Republic and during the struggle of the pro-Moscow party with the supporters of Novgorod’s political independence; to reveal historical and political aspects of the struggle of the young Moscow State for its political influence in the Novgorod land throughout the fifteenth century. Methodology. Special attention is paid to an issue related to the historical and political influence of the Mikhailo-Klopsky monastery on the struggle of the pro-Moscow party of Novgorod and on the development of the political situation in the late Novgorod Republic. The research was conducted using traditional methods of historical and cultural research, as well as the methodology of the theory of civilizational research, since the second important aspect of the study is the influence of the architectural ensemble of the Klopsky monastery on the strengthening of pro-Moscow political influence in the Novgorod lands, as architectural images played an important ideological role in the sixteenth century. Results. The Trinity Mikhailo-Klopsky Monastery played a special role during the period of Novgorod’s accession to the Moscow state and, especially, during the reign of Tsar John the Terrible, as told by the entire architectural appearance of the monastery and the architecture of the Trinity Cathedral especially. Research implications. The findings confirm that the Klopsky monastery was not only the center of the pro-Moscow party in Novgorod, but an important ideological center, since architectural images very often confirm political influences in world history.

Aim. To analyze the opinions of lawyers and entrepreneurs about the merchant law in the composition of Russian commercial courts, reflected in the periodicals of the second half of the nineteenth century; to systematize and formulate the main discussion issues, reflecting both positive and negative experience of the merchant courts’ functioning in the Russian Empire. Methodology. The research was conducted using the collection, systematization and analysis of materials from various periodicals and sources concerning the controversy on the reorganization of commercial courts in Russia in the second half of the nineteenth century, in particular, on the fate of the merchant law in the court using typological, comparative historical and structural methods. Results. People, familiar with the specifics of trade, trade customs and the intricacies of entrepreneurship, which was often completely incomprehensible both to a common resident and a lawyer, advocated the preservation of the merchant law in commercial courts, while those unfamiliar with this subject expressed the opposite point of view, gravitating to the uniformity of the judicial system. Research implications. The analysis of archival documents and real court cases of a commercial court can be helpful to researchers engaged in the history of Russian legal proceedings.

Aim. To identify the factors determining the special place of the American national exhibition in Moscow in establishing cultural ties between the USSR and the USA at the state level at the peak of the Cold War. Methodology. The study was conducted using a problem-historical analysis of the Soviet-American cultural relations in the context of the social conditions of the given Soviet period. Results. The findings include the key factors for the beginning of improving relations between the two countries at the height of the cold war. The research shows the transformation of the official cultural sphere into a training ground for mutual propaganda and its close connections with the political decisions made at that time. Research implications. The research summarizes several issues of the history of cultural relations between the two countries during the Cold War.

Aim. To identify the role of western broadcasting stations as a means of conducting the information war of the West against the USSR. Methodology. The research involved examining a set of mostly unpublished historical sources on the topic of research, using comparative, historical-genetic and statistical methods in addition to general scientific methods. Results. The findings reveal the scale of the Western radio broadcasting on the territory of the USSR, the broadcasts’ thematic content, the form of the radio materials, the composition of the listening audiences and the factors that determined the growing influence of “enemy voices” on mass consciousness in the USSR. Research implications. The findings contribute to the study of the Russian history of the late Soviet period, when the USSR listeners gained access to the values alien to socialism and imposed by the western radio channels.

Aim. To study an important area of activity of the World Russian People’s Council (WRPC) in the 1990s - the discussion of education, science and culture. Methodology. The basis for the research included the analysis of the materials of the World Russian Council (WRC, later renamed as WRPC) concerning the necessity of preserving and further developing the national education, science and culture. That included the materials of the WRPC and the documents of the WRPC hearings on education, science and culture. The research was conducted using problem-chronological, historical-system and comparative-historical methods. Results. The findings revealed how the WRPC supported the revival of national science, education and culture in the difficult socio-economic and socio-political conditions of the 1990s. The research proves that the dialogue of the WRPC with scientists and cultural figures contributed to the development of proposals to overcome the crisis in culture, education and science. Closely associated with the Russian Orthodox Church, the WRPC sought to develop new ideas about the relationship between religion, culture, science and education. The article shows the influence of the final documents of the WRPC discussions in the 1990s on the provisions of the “The Basis of the Social Concept of the Russian Orthodox Church”, adopted in 2000. Research implications. The findings can be used for designing courses and seminars in social and political life of the Russian society, the history of the Russian Orthodox Church of the late twentieth century and the history of Russian science and culture in the 1990s.

Aim. To comprehensively study the real historical events that took place in 1562-1567 in Spanish Florida, when Spain was vilified by its enemies, while the illegal actions of the French themselves were presented in a different light to the society of France and Europe. Methodology. The following important works formed the basis of this research: Bennett’s publications, including the memoirs of the French who participated in the events; the letters from the kings of Spain and France, as well as Spanish ambassadors in France; the memoirs of the contemporaries of those events and published manuscripts. The research was conducted using the methods of comparison, historical analysis, and expert assessment. Results. The history of the struggle between Spain and France on the shores of modern Florida and in the West Indies in 1565 allows drawing a historical parallel between the development of manipulative methods of influence today and the methods of denigrating the enemy 450 years ago. Both then and today the “image of the enemy” is used to justify any illegal actions. The examples from 450 years ago show how bribery and the economic incentives of the “fifth column” of traitors within the country can cause irreparable damage to an entire state. Research implications. The historic examples show and reveal the myths about Spain, as well as the methods and scale of the information war aimed at creating an image of the enemy for the society of France and European countries. A comparative analysis of these historical events of 1563-1565 and contemporary technologies of information warfare sets a prospect for further studies.

Aim. To determine the practical significance of K. Jenkins’ recommendations on the development of the theoretical and methodological content of historical science. Methodology. The research follows the main provisions of K. Jenkins’ works on the theory of history. A critical analysis of the project of historical research is conducted in line with the perception and implementation of postmodern concepts and approaches, which the British historian proposed to master. Results. The findings determine the methodological inconsistency of the reformatory innovations proposed by K. Jenkins, due to the exaggeration of the significance of the “linguistic turn” in modern Western historiography. Research implications. The research contributes to the study of postmodern historical thought.

Aim. To analyze the current stage of relations between France and Germany. Methodology. The research was conducted studying the main areas of cooperation between the two leading European countries at the contemporary stage; the prospects for their future cooperation are given, considering the signing of a new document regulating Germany’s and France’s relations - the Aachen Treaty. The necessary information was obtained using the analysis method, comparative historical and institutional approaches. Particular attention is paid to significant events that affect both the relations of Germany and France in general, and the foreign policy of each country. Additionally, the research provides relevant opinions of researchers both from Russia and other countries and raises the issue of contemporary relations between Russia and France, as well as Russia and Germany. Results. The findings show that, in such a dynamic time, the relations between Germany and France affect to a large extent both the EU foreign policy and certain global events. Through the prism of cooperation and rivalry of these states, one can observe the struggle for leadership in Europe, which in many aspects predetermines the specifics of relations between Germany and France. Research implications. The study helps to supplement the idea of the current state of relations between Germany and France considering the latest events.

The problem of the ratio of education, democracy, effective political power and high-quality public administration has not yet lost its relevance among modern political scientists. The British political philosopher Walter Bagehot (1826-1877) discussed such questions in his critical essay on the phenomenon of Caesarism in France. Starting from an analysis of precedent in ancient Rome, the author had focused on a comparative study of the advantages and disadvantages of the imperial regime. The thinker's comments on the emergence of the phenomenon of half-truth, the connections between politics and education are of particular interest. Bagehot concludes that the contradictions of Caesarism are associated with the problem of concentration of power.