History as Therapy

The "alternative history" movements which re-writes Russia's past and rediscovers its hidden greatness, has been growing dramatically since the collapse of Communism in 1991. Virtually unknown in the West, these pseudo-historians have published best-selling books, attracted widespread media attention, and are a prominent voice in Internet discussions about Russian and world history. "Alternative history" claims that Russia is much older than ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome; that the medieval Mongol Empire was in fact a Slav-Turk world empire; and that in the twentieth century, duplicitous foreign powers undermined Russia's power. For its followers, the key to Russia's greatness in the future lies in ensuring that Russians understand the true greatness of their past. "Alternative history" has become a popular way for Russians to interpret the reality of Post-Soviet life. It is one of the forces shaping a new Russian nationalism and is an important factor in geopolitics of the twenty-first century.