The monograph examines the views of representatives of Russian society of the first half - mid-19th century, represented by several different groups (officials, military, exiled Decembrists, "Caucasian prisoners"), on the problems of integration of the North Caucasus into Russia. The paper presents certain projects for the inclusion of mountain societies in Russian structures, indicating a variety of approaches to this issue and irreducible only to power options. Attention was drawn to the peculiarities of the incorporation of representatives of North Caucasian societies into Russian society. The authors analyze the views of Russians of that time on the social structure of the highlanders, their socio-cultural and everyday characteristics, spiritual culture, traditions and mentality.