Volyn Revolution or Emergence of Conspiracy Theories at the Borders of Russian Empire

Abstract

This article is devoted to the issue of the conspiracy theories’ emergence and existence in the borderlands; research attention is focused on the western boundaries of the Russian Empire, belonging to the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before its partition. The material, relating to these territories, allows to have a fresh look on “the conspiracy theories’” genesis in society, on the one hand, reflect about specifics of the borderland as a special cultural space, and, on the other hand, accomplish our factors' list, forming conspiracy theories in society, by including in it the specific characteristics of the borderline “conspiracy theories”. Reference to the west boarders of the Russian Empire allows using the material, related to the beginning of XIX century that is important for further development of the conspiracy study in Russia. This article is focused on the analysis of “The letters written by court counselor Opytov to countess Starozhilova with historical overview of the political mood of the nobility in Volyn governorate”.  Life of Volyn governorate at the beginning of the XIX century is reflected in the letters, which contain the exposure of the Polish gentry plot against the Russian stateness. The “historicity” level of this document and possibility to make some suggestions about the situation in this region based on so-called Opytov's evidence, raise doubts. The performed analysis shows that Opytov's letter was a literature work for a narrow readers' circle, familiar with the situation in Volyn and western regions in general. The text of this letter contains the encrypted conspiracy narratives, known to Opytov's contemporaries, which can become the key to understanding what type of text it is. (Ref. 34)

Keywords:

conspiracy theories, history of Russian Empire, borderlands theory, polish history and culture