Historical and retrospective analysis of the main directions and routes of Russian emigration in the early XX century

the aim of the article is to comprehensively analyse the phenomenon of Russian emigration of the first wave (1917-1920s) through the prism of modern historical methods. This article reflects the main directions and routes of Russian emigration of the early XX century on the basis of the use of the following methods. Together, the authors use the problem-chronological method, the method of synchronisation and ideographic analysis, which allow us to consider emigration as a multidimensional historical process. The authors note that the history of the first wave of Russian emigration has traditionally been viewed through the prism of political events and institutional history, but in recent decades historical scholarship has turned towards the study of the human dimension of migration processes – how individual and collective experiences, adaptation strategies and identity crises shaped the experience of exile. In this context, the analysis of ego-documents – personal testimonies created by emigrants themselves in the process of comprehending their situation – is of particular value. By considering in the article the transformation of identity in the practice of ‘intermediate’ existence and migration experience, as well as the mechanisms of life adaptation of people in new conditions, the authors have actually identified a new direction in historical research – «transit history». This became a separate subject scientific discovery in the course of the research. This direction, the term is defined by us as follows. «Transit history» – a direction of scientific historical knowledge, justified by the processes of historical-temporal or permanent movement (transit) of people across geographical, political and cultural boundaries. This direction includes an accent study and research of the space of historical and cultural heritage, experience, codes and practices of adaptive everyday life of different representatives or social groups in the conditions of the migration process and phenomena at the moment of their transit route. Thus, this study not only analyses the main directions of Russian emigration of the early 20th century, but also offers new approaches to the consideration of this topic.

emigration, early 20th century, ego-documents, migration processes, routes, transit history