Kyrylenko S. Origin of Rus in the Soviet historical science (1920th - early 1990th.)

The thesis is devoted to the study of historiographical researches on the origin of Rus in the context of development of historical thought in the USSR in 20th - early 90th of the XXth century. The thesis analyzes the state of scientific research of the thesis topic, systematizes set of source materials and historiographical studies. On the basis of published and unpublished materials the author first reconstructs the Soviet historiographical process of the research of the origin of Ancient Rus. The basic stages of Soviet historians' studies of the origin of Rus are defined, the criteria of periodization are clarified. The scientific and political-ideological prerequisites and causes of intensification of studies of the problem at different stages of development of Soviet historical science are defined. The thesis emphasizes the main Soviet historiographical conceptual approaches toward the problem of the origin of Rus, reveals and demonstrates the unique character of personal research contribution of some scientists, analyzes criticism of their views by opponents, highlights the main ideas of those researches.