Nineteenth Century Russia: Opposition to Autocracy

Seminar Studies in History

by Derek Offord

This new Seminar Study provides students with a rewarding introduction to nineteenth-century Russia. This period of Russian history is, of course, characterised by the flowering of an enormously rich intellectual and cultural life, the origins of which lie in the intelligentsia¿s opposition to autocratic rule. Here, Professor Offord introduces the reader to the period while focusing particularly on the rise of radicalism.

The book opens with two scene-setting one looking at the political and social structure peculiar to Russia, and the second looking at the cultural and intellectual background. Then, within a chronological framework, the author examines all the great 'events' in the history of Russian radicalism - from the Decembrist Revolt in 1825, to the 'going to the people' in 1874, and the assassination of Alexander II in 1881. However, throughout the text sustained attention is given to the intellectual dimension of nineteenth-century Russian history. Professor Offord examines all the major schools of thought and looks in detail at all the great thinkers of the day, including Chaadaev, Belinsky, Herzen, Chernyshevsky, Bakunin and Tolstoy.

This new book will provide essential reading for anyone studying nineteenth-century Russia. Lucid, accessible and immensely readable, it is a formidable achievement.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

Paperback

First published September 2, 1999

Reviews

[Bryn Hammond · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an outline, to fill in gaps in my knowledge and get a sense for the structure of the century. It's only 100 pages + 25 of documents, but concision (not without the odd daub of oil paint for a lost cause, or is that just me?) helped me see the sketch behind those changing tides of thought and two dozen species of socialism. Little is more interesting or strange than the Russian 19th century.