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Description
When the Riurikid dynasty unexpectedly came to an end in 1598, Muscovy was plunged into civil war. Beginning with that chaotic 鈥楾ime of Troubles鈥�, this course analyses the ways in which the Romanov dynasty installed in 1613 restored stability and secured their territories against enemy incursion. To some extent, they drew on Western models, but it was only when Peter the Great (r. 1682-1725) built a new capital at St Petersburg that Russia fully confronted European civilization. Over the course of the following century, Westernization transformed the Russian elite, bringing noble culture into contact with the European Enlightenment under Catherine the Great (1762-96), the most celebrate ruler of her age. However, as the state counted the cost of its new army, its extensive multi-national territories and its glittering cosmopolitan capital, the people paid the price. Risk-averse serfs relapsed into traditional collective responsibility as the only way to meet their rulers鈥� fiscal demands. The more the tsars tried to modernise their state, the more backward their empire became. Alexander I鈥檚 defeat of Napoleon in 1812-14 made Russia the greatest continental power in Europe. But as the Crimean War was to show, the colossus had feet of clay. The course covers a wide range of social, political, cultural and diplomatic topics, and you can choose from these in writing your essays.
Module deliveries for 2024/25 academic year
Last updated
This module description was last updated on 8th April 2024.
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