An artifact of Soviet historiography: Ocherki istorii istoricheskoi nauki v SSSR

Abstract

The five-volume but incomplete Ocherki istorii istoricheskoy nauki v SSSR published between 1955 and 1985 is a fascinating artifact of Soviet historiography. It is a palpable reminder of the ability of Soviet historiography to mobilize by command the expertise and financial resources required to produce multi-author multi-volume series. Ocherki istorii istoricheskoy nauki v SSSR encompassed the histories of all peoples living on the territory of the USSR after World War II. This article examines the project from a mostly technical point of view.