Crimean Press in 1917 as a Mirror of Revolutionary Moods on the Peninsula

Abstract

Research methodology. Unlike historians, for whom it was the source of the study of revolutionary events on the peninsula, and previous journalistic studies, which focused on the laws of the development of the Crimean media in a given period in general and in the history of individual editions, at this article, based on the problem-theoretical analysis of the Crimean press, the author makes an attempt to trace the peculiarities of the presentation of the revolutionary sentiment on the Crimean peninsula by the Crimean periodicals in order to simulate the perception of the revolutions of 1917 and their consequences of ordinary Crimean – former reader of newspapers and magazines.

Results. The main problem-thematic dominant components of Crimean publications from February to November 1917 were established.

Novelty. The author first discovered that the content of Crimean publications in 1917 is emotional and contradictory: on the one hand, revolutionary euphoria, mass support for the February revolution, active processes of national revival, including in the periodical press, the rise of the women's movement, on the other – rising prices, food shortages, frightening processes corruption in the army and the navy, lynchings, the growth of mass riots and panic sentiments. The October Revolution, unlike the February revolution, the Crimea (with the exception of the Bolsheviks) resolutely rejected as threatening with terror, violence and civil war. The conducted analysis proves that in spite of all the shocks of 1917, the Crimeans, in the majority of them, remained supporters of the bloodless progressive development of the country, peace and order. However, this unity in the face of revolutionary terror could no longer save the Crimea.

The practical significance. Research results can be used in teaching history and history of journalism.

Key words: Crimea, February revolution, October revolution, journalism, newspapers.