Secondary military schools of Russia in the first half of the 19th century through the eyes of their alumni
Abstract
Russian military educational institutions of the former half of the 19th century are generally described as an embodiment of the worst features of Nikolay’s military system with its unreasonable drilling. Rare positive assessments refer to the contribution of cadet corps to the development of the gentry education in Russia. Opinions that the military schools nourished the true fi ghter’s spirit are very rare. Daily life of the students conformed to the atmosphere of a strictly determined order which was necessary to follow obediently. The whole day had a strict timetable: time of awakening, intake of meals, study time, military exercises, doing the homework and having a rest. The immediate control over the students was exercised by offi cers-tutors. Certain offi cers were loved and respected by the students, others, on the contrary, were afraid of and disliked. Unfortunately, not all tutors always understood their tasks properly, their eff orts were often limited to maintaining purely outward order. However, the shortcomings in this education were sometimes due to the level of pedagogy of that time which was not particularly high. The attitude to the teachers in cadet corps was similar. If the teacher was able to teach his subject in such a fashion that the students were interested, he was respected and popular among the students. Memoirs of the former cadets demonstrate that their opinions as to the study in cadet corps was rather positive. The skills and qualities acquired there made up a foundation for their future service as offi cers of the Russian army. The reform of the 1860s, which abolished cadet corps, did not take into account the experience and opinions of their alumni.
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