Autocracy, Orthodoxy, and National Character
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Autocracy, Orthodoxy, and National Character (Самодержа́вие, правосла́вие и наро́дность, "Samoderzhavie, Pravoslavie i Narodnost") was the motto of official ideology of the Russian Empire, beginning in the reign of Nicholas I of Russia and used until Nicholas II's abdication in 1917.
[edit] Creation and use
This formulation, intended as Russia's answer to the revolutionary slogan of Liberté, égalité, fraternité, is attributed to Count Sergey Uvarov, President of the Russian Academy of Sciences (1818-1855).
The notions of Autocracy and Orthodoxy are closely entangled in Russian history - the notion of "Narodnost" as "National Spirit" is meant to reflect the originality and uniqueness of common Russian folk and the fundamental values of Russian culture and society in contrast to Western society. In the words of Uvarov, "возвраща́ть ру́сских к ру́сскому" (translated as "to turn Russians back to Russian ways").
[edit] Similarities to other movements and other use
This notion was close in its spirit to the Slavophile movement, which was on its rise since 1840s. It was thought that this tri-pronged formula symbolized the unity and harmony of Tsar and People based on Orthodoxy and obschina, as opposed to the social unrest in Europe at these times.
This motto was assumed by several pro-monarchist groups, such as the ultra conservative Union of the Russian People ("Black Hundreds"), the emigre Russian Imperial Union Order, and other more moderate groups.
A version was also used as a frequent battle cry, "For Faith, the Tsar, and Fatherland!" (За Веру, Царя, и Отечество!).
