Norman theory was first put forward by three German scientists, H. Miller, A. and G. Schletzer Bayer, in the middle of the X VIII century, and over the next two centuries, the controversy around her did not stop.
The basis of the theory put an old legend according to which the Eastern Slavs were uncouth barbarians, while the Vikings have not set foot in the Slavic lands and brought with them the foundations of the state system and the beginnings of culture.
Norman theory "for" and "against»
Naturally, like any theory, has its fans and opponents, and at the Norman theory has both its supporters and people who think it absurd.First thoughts about the weakness of the theory were made MVLomonosov.It was during this period of active controversy broke out concerning the impact of the Vikings on Russia, which has found its echo in the writings of many authors.But the main problem Antinormanists (people denied this theory in the root) was the inability to refute its foundation - "The Tale of Bygone Years", as this work was officially recognized as a historical document, the primary source.
While Normanists gave an explanation to the term "Rus" is derived from the Scandinavians, their opponents are actively looking for other versions, which are at least somehow could overshadow Norman.Bullet in the debate put V. Thomsen, who in 1891 published a paper titled "The Beginning of the Russian state."In it, he argued reflected the main points on which rested the Norman theory, after which many historians and antiromanisty came to the conclusion that the theory of Scandinavian origin Russia can be considered proven.
new interest in the origin of Rus arose in Soviet times, when the vision of Russian history was viewed through the prism of socialism.During this period the Norman theory has undergone another criticism thanks to the book AAShakhmatova.This work was dedicated to the origin of the Slavs and the Russian state.
Based on its analysis of the chronicle was later established that unreliable and writing a story about calling varyazheskih princes - of the treatise, based on which the entire Norman theory.Another major antinormanistskim essay, published in the 20s, was a book authored by Smirnov "Volga Way and the ancient Rus', in which he tried to refute this theory, using the ancient treatises of Arab writers.In his book, Smirnov linked the emergence of the ancient Russian state is not known to the route "from the Vikings to the Greeks", and with the Volga route "from the Baltic Sea - the Volga to the Caspian Sea."According to his theory, the first Russian state was formed in the Middle Volga.The new concept of the origin of the Slavs was quite interesting and original, however unconvincing, and therefore has not found support even among supporters antinormanskoy school.
Most of the Norman theory was supported by foreign scientists historians, who firmly believes in the inability of the Slavs to the natural self-development without the foreign intervention and the manual.In particular, it is actively promoted in the wartime Nazi Germany.Today the question of formation of the Russian state ceased to be relevant to historians.Over the past 30 years, little is written books and articles on this topic, but it absolutely does not mean victory Norman theory.
enormous influence and importance of the Varangian princes on the formation of the ancient Russian state can not be underestimated or forgotten, but exaggerate too not worth it.Norman and antinormanskaya theory have the right to exist, which of these is actually true, we learn not soon.
