Doukhobor Survival: Maintained Through Persecution and Conflict

Abstract

This thesis examines the 19th and 20th century struggles of the Doukhobors as they journeyed from Czarist Russia to Canada. Due to their religious beliefs and sense of social justice, the Doukhobors were forced to migrate numerous times within Russia before they relocated to their (not so) promised land in Canada. Their struggle will be analyzed through two viewpoints historically, using Marxist Humanist and Conflict theory, and culturally, using Indigenous Standpoint theory. The thesis will attempt to answer the following questions: “What historical factors led to the Doukhobors’ cultural development and ability to sustain despite fierce conflict from the external government structure (Russia and Canada)?” and “To what extent do Conflict and Marxist Humanist theories explain the Doukhobor experiences?” The research finds evidence to suggest that Marxist Humanist theory most accurately explains the Doukhobors’ internal cultural cohesion, while Conflict theory best describes their ability to survive under external pressure.