The book presents an author's view of the history of the region of Eastern Europe of the past and the beginning of this century through the prism of intellectual history. The special role of intellectuals determined the course of the creation of independent states after the First World War, and the stay in the states of the socialist community, and the path of transition to post-socialism. The publication is addressed to students and graduate students studying the problems of Eastern Europe, regional integration, student movement, and may also be of interest to a wide range of readers.