National and European ideals of upbringing and education of the Russian nobility in the second half of the 18th – first half of the 19th century

During the golden age of Russian nobility`s culture (second half of the 18th century – first half of the 19th century) there were significant changes in the system of upbringing and education of the gentlefolk. In the pre-Petrine period education of the Russian nobility was aimed primarily at a spiritual improvement and housekeeping. As a result of the Western Europe`s cultural influence the Russian nobility gains new educational and pedagogical guidelines based on the ideals of Enlightenment. Main focus of the education came to be the training for public service and proficiency in good manners. At that time moral literature acquired a great importance. Western-type boarding schools for men and women appeared. The teaching of foreign languages, especially French, becomes widespread. Foreign teachers and governesses are invited to teach the children of the nobility at home. The combination of the old and new ideals of upbringing and education, which bring together the best domestic and European traditions among the Russian nobility, leads to a gradual building-up of unified educational principles.