Kiwi

Um, hi guys.

I'm needing a map of the Russian Empire, and it's territories throughout it's history.

I'm looking for a map (Preferably animated) depicting the growth of the Russian Empire, because I'm interested in how it grew, and expanded.

Other than that, let's talk about the Russian Empire here.

Pfaxt3ld

Great. Who are you interested in hearing about first?

Pedro

Give this a try.
http://www.zum.de/whkmla/histatlas/r...haxrussia.html
if this isn't what you are looking for it has other links. Good luck.

Cadell

I have a question. In reading accounts of the social organization of Imperial Russia, it seems to me that Russian feudalism was possibly more severe and oppressive than the type of feudalism of seen in medieval Western Europe. Is this completely unfounded? What contributed to the rise of feudalism in Muscovy, instead of an expansion of the more liberal policies of Novgorod?

The only possible explanation I can put forward, a rather weak one I might add, is that the Russian peasant culture is condusive to authoritarian control. I don't mean to sound prejudiced. I read an article in this Sunday's New York Times about foreign purchase of unused collective farms. It was said that productivity and contentment among the peasants who worked the farms increased dramatically when they cut down on promotions and raises, and instead offered group incentives for greater performance. Is this a rich man's justification for an unfair exploitation of labor, or a valid commentary on Russian peasant culture?

Kris

What I've gathered from reading Orlando Figes' superb A People's Tragedy: The Russian Revolution 1891-1924 is that the peasants preferred to be left alone following the end of serfdom in the 19th century. They quickly formed into areas resembling communes which would lead Karl Marx to insist that communism could work in Russia if it was established along those lines (a point brushed aside by the allegedly Marxist Bolsheviks). Even by the time of Tsar Nicholas II, there were large peasant areas of Russia which the Tsar could not control if he wanted to.

Thus, I think the autocratic form of centralized government grows as a result of the desire to control the peasants rather than peasants wanting any type of control. In fact, during the period of 1918-1922, the peasants finally did rise against the government, this time the Bolsheviks, who were quickly putting an end to Russia's flirtation with democracy and destroying the independence of the peasant communes (something which Tsarism could not do and which Kerensky didn't even try).

The peasants wanted to own their land and were thus hostile to collective farming, which was unproductive and met with mass violence when the Bolsheviks instituted the policies. That said, I'm not sure what the present opinions of the current Russian lower classes is in regards to this.

Brtoha

And do not forget about 200 years of Mongols, what influenced Russian culture and society and brought purely Asian traditions to Muscovity. That was one of main factors which shaped Russian feudalism and society, till today (with of course disastrous influence of communism added to this).

rdwoodworth

I have a not entirely off topic question, but also not entirely on topic.

I've recently become very fascinated with Russia and wish to learn much, much more. So, I'm looking for a book (or maybe books) that will help me to learn a good deal of the modern history of Russia. Something, that goes from maybe a bit prior to WWII, until fairly recently. I'm sure there is something that fits my needs out there, but I do not even know where to begin. I only recently switched my major from Business Administration to International Relations, so I feel like a fish out of water, and am looking for some assistance. Also, I'm not looking for an entirely difficult read if it can be avoided. I want to be able to stay interested and not get turned off by it, if it can be helped.

If I should post this elsewhere, let me know and I will do so. Thanks!

Brtoha

I recommend to read this book of professor Norman Davies, about one of events in the beggining of existence of Soviet Union when it attempted to spread revolution around Western Europe, fortunatelly, unsucessfully.


White Eagle, Red Star: The Polish-Soviet War, 1919-20, by Norman Davies

In White Eagle, Red Star, distinguished historian Norman Davies gives us a full account of the Polish–Soviet War, with its dramatic climax in August 1920 when the Red Army—sure of victory and pledged to carry the Revolution across Europe —was crushed by a devastating Polish attack. Since known as the Miracle on the Vistula, it remains one of the most crucial conflicts of the Western world. Drawing on both Polish and Russian sources, Norman Davies shows how this war was a pivotal event in the course of European history.

The book refers also to a story of American volunteer pilots, who fought in Polish Air Force (Kosciuszko Squadron) during this war.

The Battle of Warsaw 1920 (Miracle on the Vistula), during this war, stopped the march of Bolshevik's armies towards the Western Europe, where they wanted to spread the revolution.

Poland stopped on itself the full brunt of the Red Army and defeated an idea of the "export of the revolution". Western Europe, where revolutionary fever was boiling over on the streets, was spared a bloody fight for survival. Unfortunately, political and military significance of this victory was never fully appreciated by Europeans.

rdwoodworth

Thanks. I added this to my wish list and I will definitely get around to it. But for now I've decided to go with . It is a textbook which is not entirely preferable. But I believe it has what I'm looking for...a broad and sweeping overview of the history or Russia. It's a place to begin and that's all I'm really looking for at this point. After reading this (or various sections), I hope to branch off into more detailed books about certain points in Russian history, such as the Polish-Soviet War. Thanks though!

I'm sure I'll be back here to discuss various points and questions I may have in my reading. I just discovered these forums and I gotta tell you I'm pretty excited about it.

laura

if you don't mind my putting in my tuppence here, i would recommend [URL=" . if you follow the link and scroll down to the 'frequently bought together' section, the hosking book can be bought with dominic lieven's the russian empire for ten dollars less than the book you intend to buy. it's just a thought, but certainly the hosking book is well worth it and less textbookish as well.