Background
PLATONOV, Sergey was born on June 28, 1860.
PLATONOV, Sergey was born on June 28, 1860.
1882 graduate Saint St. Petersburg University.
From 1899 professor, Saint St. Petersburg University. 1908-1920 correspondent member, Russian Academy of Sciences. 1918-1929 chairman, Archcographic Commission.
From 1928 chairman, Commission for Publ the Works of Pushkin. 1925-1929 director, Pushkin Center, Institute of Russian Literature, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences. 1925-1928 director, Library, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences.
Wrote monographs on Russian history in the late 16lh and early 17th Centuries. Also studied the history of zemstvo assemblies, Peter I’s reforms and the colonization of the North. Examined soc ferment in various strata of Muscovy population and determined causes of mass movements of population.
Studied the period of the "troubles" (late 16th and early 17th centuries) and distinguished three periods: dynastic, social and national. Sought roots of the "troubles” in Muscovy’s soc life of preceding period. Explained the “oprichnik" system under Ivan the Terrible as a state reform aimed at breaking the economics and political power of the princes and boyars in the interests of the nobility and the burghers.
Regarded the transformation of the peasants into serfs as a state measure in the interests of the nobility and the nation’s defense. His views had a great influence on the development of Soviet historiography. Adhered to old Russian historical school, which brought him into conflict with the Marxist historical school of M. North. Pokrovskiy.
1929, as a result of this, dismissed from his posts with the Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences and later stripped of his acad title. Arrested and exiled to Samara. Partially rehabilitated after downfall of Pokrovskiy and his historical school.
This is evidenced by the 1937 re-edition of his work Ocherki po istorii smuty v Moskovskom gosudarstve XVI—XVII vv. (Outline History of the Troubles in Muscovy in the 16th and 17th Centuries).
All religions persuade people to rely on outside authority, thus preventing them to become self-reliant.
The role of the individual as a member of a collective is more important than the individual.
Member, Union of the Soviet Socialist Republics Academy of Sciences from 1920.