Russia is trying to raise a young president to Vladimir Putin loyal warriors. The country’s administration has also harnessed the educational institution to push its own power.
A new history book has been tailored for Russian high school students who started their school year yesterday Friday. It deals with the events of the country from 1945 to the present day.
It is the only textbook approved by the state for 11th-graders, i.e. students around 17 years old. In the book, you can find out, among other things, what Putin’s propaganda says about Finland’s NATO membership and Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
compared the book to Finnish learning material. In the story, the latest editions of Otava’s Forum Historia 2 and Forum Yhteiskuntaoppi 3 books have been used as a Finnish language reference.
You can also watch excerpts from the story about the peculiarities of the book’s teachings in Antti Kurra’s video below.
What led to the rift between Russia and the West?
Russian textbook:
“The West’s obsession has become destabilizing Russia’s internal situation. [..] Because of this, open Russophobia [venäläisvastaisuutta] has been supported in former Soviet republics. [..] The final goal is not exactly hidden: It is the disintegration of Russia and the control of the country’s resources.”
Otava’s Finnish textbook Forum History 2:
“In its new foreign policy, the Russian leadership began to see both NATO led by the United States and the European Union as enemies. Russia also began to interpret the states that were part of the Soviet Union [..] interests, in whose affairs it has the right to intervene. In addition, many countries that were formerly part of the Soviet Union have a Russian minority whose interests are protected by Russia.”
Why did Russia start a war of aggression in Ukraine?
Russian textbook:
“Kiova said it was trying to acquire nuclear weapons. Applying to NATO was written into the Constitution of Ukraine. Kiev announced the return of Crimea [..] as its most important goal.”
“If Ukraine had joined NATO, it would have provoked an attack on Crimea or Donbass [..] and Russia would have been at war with all NATO countries at once. [..]”
“It would have potentially been the end of the whole civilization.”
“‘It is ultimately a matter of life and death [..].
Speech of the President of Russia on February 24, 2022.”
Otava’s Finnish textbook Forum History 2:
“In its propaganda, Russia has accused Ukraine of genocide of the population of Russian origin and fascist politics. The accusations had no basis in reality and were intended to justify a future war of aggression. Donetsk and Luhansk regions asked for support against Ukraine’s military actions. This gave Russia an excuse for its attack on Ukraine.”
How is the war going on in Ukraine?
Russian textbook:
“Our soldiers have a categorical order not to shoot residential areas under any circumstances. [.. ] Armed Forces of Ukraine [..] used its own citizens as hostages and human shields.”
“Such brutal tactics have never been used by any of the world’s armies in history. [..]”
“Draw your own conclusions about ‘Ukraine’s new military tactics!'”
Otava’s Finnish textbook Forum History 2:
“Russia’s military actions were heavily aimed at the civilian population, and big cities were bombed, for example.”
What kind of Finland joined NATO?
Russian textbook:
“In 2023, historically neutral Finland joined NATO. Finland became independent by the Bolsheviks [Venäjää hallinneiden kommunistien] by in 1918 and maintained its independence in 1945 by promising to remain neutral.”
Otava’s Finnish textbook Forum Social Studies 3:
“The war started by Russia and the demands of the frontline quickly changed the opinion of the citizens. The Finns began to fear that Russia was a threat to Finland as well and considered that NATO membership would increase security and raise Russia’s threshold to attack Finland.”
How do Western sanctions affect Russia?
Russian textbook:
“However, Russia withstood the blow and quickly adapted to the new conditions. [..] Agriculture is breaking records, showing work capacity and results never seen under the Tsar or the Soviet Union. [..]”
“It is this time that gives you, the school graduates, a huge opportunity to achieve rapid professional success as adults in business, production and science.”
Otava’s Finnish textbook Forum History 2:
“The war in Ukraine, and the sanctions imposed because of it, caused great problems for the Russian economy. Russia is very dependent on income from energy exported to the West and on Western technology. Also, the collapse of the value of the ruble, the withdrawal of companies from Russia, the boycott of Russian products and the exclusion of banks from the international banking systems significantly complicate the Russian economy. The economy is also suffering from the costs caused by the war.”
War heroes are lavishly praised
The Russian opus deals in detail with the war of aggression initiated by the country, which is exclusively called a “military special operation”.
For example, the book presents sixteen Russian fighters or volunteers who took part in the war, whom Russia has raised as heroes.
– Their daily feats are combined in the thousand-year chronicle of Russian history with the heroic deeds of their millions of predecessors. This has always been the case in the history of our country. And this is how it will be. Always, the book says.
Ukrainian regions are shown as part of Russia
A map is attached to the end of the book.
In it, in addition to the Crimean peninsula, which was illegally annexed by Russia, the regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, which are partially occupied by the country, are marked as fully part of Russia.
Ukraine has recently succeeded in liberating some villages with counter-attacks in areas whose parts Russia has illegally annexed. The city of Kherson was already liberated by the Ukrainian forces in November of last year.
The textbook does not hide its goal
In the preface of the 11th-grade history book of Russia, it is openly stated that its most important task is to cultivate patriotism.
The publication of the only official truth-telling textbook, on the other hand, is justified by the struggle against Western propaganda. The book’s authors claim that previous Russian educational materials published with Western grants distorted the country’s history.
– Outright filth, a lie from our history is rooted in our collective consciousness, the textbook says.
The author is known for the claims of mass graves in Karelia
The author of the book, which was published quickly, is indicated as the confidant of President Putin Vladimir Medinsky.
Medinski is the president of the Russian Military Historical Society, who previously served as the Minister of Culture. He also led the country’s delegation in the February 2022 cease-fire negotiations with Ukraine.
In Finland, Medinski is remembered for the excavations he led in the Sandarmoh mass graves in Karelia. They tried to pass responsibility for the crimes of the Soviet Union to Finns.
Now Medinski is leading a project whose purpose is to publish one official textbook for each grade level teaching history.
What thoughts does the story evoke? You can discuss the topic on 2.9. until 11 p.m.