Imperial Russia Source Analysis

History 346

Source Paper Analysis

Source Paper Analysis-9/29

The readings assigned for 9/29 cover a variety of topics, events, and themes regarding Imperial Russia in the 18th century. This paper will attempt to cover all profound material found within the readings and analyze them from several perspectives. Briefly, I will state and elaborate on keynotes regarding the background and historical path that guided Russia into this time period. The country of Russia was born out of a complex ethnic and politically hostile environment; this region for hundreds of years, prior to the 18th century, suffered from civilian uprisings, civil war, and foreign invaders. The diversity of people in this vast geographic region would cause one to doubt the chance for political and social stability. However, by the 1700’s the country has progressed ten-fold, not necessarily in size or power, but through politics, religious ideas, and social development.

Pages 100-104 of the source book lay out the Russo-Polish Treaty on the First Partition of Poland. Comprised of eleven articles this treaty speaks much about the growing power of Russian foreign politics. Historically, Russia was disconnected from Western Europe in many ways; culturally and politically Russia is molded into a unique state entity. Now as the text states in the introduction: “In part Poland’s problems stemmed from the increased ambition of her neighbors who sought to increase their territories at Poland’s expense”, as Poland falls in power during this time Prussia and Russia take advantage in international politics by “reestablish[ing] the balance of power” Something that I find fascinating about this treaty is the idea of Russia emerging as a political player in the international system. In one of the earlier readings Russian emissaries are sent to negotiate with people towards the Middle-East, and comparing that reading to this one we can see how far Russia has come at this point in dealing with external...