Abstract. The article analyzes the historical experience the emergence and development of new socio-cultural practices of tsarist Russia and Soviet Union. Explores the multifaceted process of democratization of culture and education, the formation of the system of extracurricular education and cultural and educational activities, the cultural revolution for the benefit of the masses.

Key words: Russia, USSR, history, culture, democratization, cultural revolution.

Parkhomenko Tatiana Aleksandrovna,
D. in History,
Russian Scientific Research Institute for Cultural
and Natural Heritage named after D.Likhachev (Moscow),
e-mail: ParchomenkoT@yandex.ru