РОССИЙСКАЯ ИМПЕРИЯ И КОЛОНИАЛЬНЫЕ НАРОДЫ ВО ВТОРОЙ ПОЛОВИНЕ XIX ВЕКА

Abstract

In the second half of the XIXth century Russia was a huge empire, covering a wide area of Eastern Europe, North-Eastern Asia and a part of North America. By the 60s its territory had increased from 16 to 18 million square metres owing to the annexation of Bessarabia, the Caucasus, Kazakhstan, Priamurye, Primorye, Finland and the Kingdom of Poland. Russia remained an unitary state and the subordinated territories have experienced serious pressure and interference in their internal affairs. The policy of Russification has been implemented everywhere. The local aristocracy, whose rights of exploitation were protected by the tsar’s authority, were the main support of the autocracy in the outlying districts. This double oppression – by the local elite on the one hand and the tsar’s administration on the other - provoked numerous revolts against the feudal exploitation and colonial violence. The revolts were severely suppressed by the tsar with the help of the local nobles. The relations between the capital and the colonies had, undoubtedly, a negative character. The influence of Russian culture can be considered the only positive side of these relations. By becoming a member of the Russian community, the other nations participated in the more developed Russian culture, the historically progressive process of market development and capitalistic interactions. The anti-feudal and anti-colonial struggle of the nations shook the basis of the serf system. During this struggle the representatives of the outlying districts and different nationalities united with the Russian people, who at that time were leading the fight against the serf system.

Keywords

• Russia, XIXth century, colony, monarchy, serf system