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1837:RUSSIAS QUIET REVOLUTION
Historians often think of Russia before the 1860s in terms of conservative stasis, when the "gendarme of Europe" secured order beyond the country's borders and entrenched the autocratic system at home. This book offers a profoundly different vision of Russia under Nicholas I. Drawing on an extensive array of sources, it reveals that many of modern Russia's most distinctive and outstanding features can be traced back to an inconspicuous but exceptional year. Russia became what it did, in no small measure, because of 1837.
The catalogue of the year's noteworthy occurrences extends from the realms of culture, religion, and ideas to those of empire, politics, and industry. Exploring these diverse issues and connecting seemingly divergent historical actors, Paul W. Werth reveals that the 1830s in Russia were a period of striking dynamism and consequence, and that 1837 was pivotal for the country's entry into the modern age. From the romantic death of Russia's greatest poet Alexander Pushkin in January to a colossal fire at the Winter Palace in December, Russia experienced much that was astonishing in 1837: the railway and provincial press appeared, Russian opera made its debut, Orthodoxy pushed westward, the first Romanov visited Siberia-and much else besides. The cumulative effect was profound. The country's integration accelerated, and a Russian nation began to emerge, embodied in new institutions and practices, within the larger empire. The result was a quiet revolution, after which Russia would never be
the same.
The catalogue of the year's noteworthy occurrences extends from the realms of culture, religion, and ideas to those of empire, politics, and industry. Exploring these diverse issues and connecting seemingly divergent historical actors, Paul W. Werth reveals that the 1830s in Russia were a period of striking dynamism and consequence, and that 1837 was pivotal for the country's entry into the modern age. From the romantic death of Russia's greatest poet Alexander Pushkin in January to a colossal fire at the Winter Palace in December, Russia experienced much that was astonishing in 1837: the railway and provincial press appeared, Russian opera made its debut, Orthodoxy pushed westward, the first Romanov visited Siberia-and much else besides. The cumulative effect was profound. The country's integration accelerated, and a Russian nation began to emerge, embodied in new institutions and practices, within the larger empire. The result was a quiet revolution, after which Russia would never be
the same.
242 pages, Hardcover
Published February 12, 2021
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August 17, 2022
In his book 1837 Historian and Professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Paul W. Werth gives his readers a deeper look into the events that sculpted such a pivotal year in Russian history.
The year began with the death of famed poet, father of Russian literature, and the modern Russian language, Alexander Pushkin on the tenth of February, and ended with the conflagration that brought down the grand Winter Palace on the seventeenth of December.
1837 was a year charged with changing political currents and turmoil. However, more than just political events are presented in Werth’s work. The opera, specifically the compositions of Mikhail Glinka, who is considered to be the first major Russian composer, and the father of Russian classical music, is given much attention.
With each chapter having its own endnotes and bibliography, Werth has made it incredibly easy for his readers to spin off into their own research of each topic, as his book is just over two hundred pages, Werth does not have enough time to go into full detail of each of his subjects, rather, he gives an excellent overview, providing the most critical facts and pieces of information, while keeping his narrative lively, and engaging.
1837 is an approachable book for those wishing to become acquainted with this particular year of Russian history and serves as a wonderful springboard for those wishing to dive deeper into certain events of this period.
The year began with the death of famed poet, father of Russian literature, and the modern Russian language, Alexander Pushkin on the tenth of February, and ended with the conflagration that brought down the grand Winter Palace on the seventeenth of December.
1837 was a year charged with changing political currents and turmoil. However, more than just political events are presented in Werth’s work. The opera, specifically the compositions of Mikhail Glinka, who is considered to be the first major Russian composer, and the father of Russian classical music, is given much attention.
With each chapter having its own endnotes and bibliography, Werth has made it incredibly easy for his readers to spin off into their own research of each topic, as his book is just over two hundred pages, Werth does not have enough time to go into full detail of each of his subjects, rather, he gives an excellent overview, providing the most critical facts and pieces of information, while keeping his narrative lively, and engaging.
1837 is an approachable book for those wishing to become acquainted with this particular year of Russian history and serves as a wonderful springboard for those wishing to dive deeper into certain events of this period.
Displaying 1 of 1 review