This is a survey course on the general history
of Russia from its early beginnings with the Muscovite
state until World War I. It will begin with a general
discussion on the geographical characteristics
of Russia and the cultural peculiarities of the Russian
population. Here the emphasis will be on the Eurasian
dimension or character of the Russian lands. Strictly
historical lectures will begin with Muscovy over
1450-1598, and will continue into the ''Time of Troubles,''
leading to the rise of the Romanov dynasty.The next
issue will be the modernizing efforts of Peter
the Great, and the political and social effects
of these Petrine reforms (1682-1740). In the course
of reviewing the policies of ''enlightened reform'' pursued
by Catherine the Great (1762-1796), Russian expansionism
against Poland and the Ottoman empire, as well as
popular reactions such as the Pugachev Rebellion
(1773-1775) will also be taken into account.
Over the period between 1801-1855, the Napoleonic wars
(1805-1815) and their impact, autocratic conservatism,
and the Crimean War (1853-1856) will be highlighted.
For the second half of the 19th century, attention
fill focus on the emancipation of the serfs (1860),
other administrative reforms and economic development
accompanying expansion in Central Asia and Far East,
and the emergence of a revolutionary opposition. The
turbulent period of 1890-1914 will be discussed in terms
of rapid industrialization, general poverty and popular
unrest, defeat in the Russo-Japanese war and the subsequent
1905 revolution. The last weeks of the course will
be devoted to World War I and the coming of the
1917 February and October revolutions.
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