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NOTE TO USERS This reproduction is the best 'copy available "On the Brink of the Abyss": The German Focus of Russian Official Ideology: 1890 - 1914 Larissa O. Horne B.A., St. Petersburg State University, 199 1 P.B.D. (Arts). Simon Fraser University, 1997 THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF ARTS in the Department of History O Larissa O. Horne 1998 SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY April, 1998 All rights reserved. This work may not be Reproduced in whole or in part, by photocopy or other means, without permission of the author. National Library Bibliothèque nationale I*l of Canada du Canada Acquisitions and Acquisitions et Bibliographie Services services bibliographiques 395 Wellington Street 395, nie Wellington Ottawa ON K1A ON4 Ottawa ON KiA ON4 Canada Canada The author has granted a non- L'auteur a accordé une licence non exclusive licence allowing the exclusive permettant a la National Library of Canada to Bibliothèque nationale du Canada de reproduce, loan, distribute or sell reproduire, prêter, distribuer ou copies of this thesis in microform, vendre des copies de cette thèse sous paper or electronic formats. la forme de microfiche/film, de reproduction sur papier ou sur format électronique. The author retains ownership of the L'auteur conserve la propriété du copyright in this thesis. Neither the droit d'auteur qui protège cette thèse. thesis nor substantial extracts fiom it Ni la thèse ni des extraits substantiels may be printed or otherwise de celle-ci ne doivent être imprimés reproduced without the author's ou autrement reproduits sans son permission. autorisation. Abstract This thesis examines the evolution of Russian state ideology between 1890 and 191 4, focusing on the dynarnics of Russo-German relations at the time. Russian official idcology betwcen 1890 and 1914 was committed to the preservation of the Empire's 'great power' status and her autocratic rcgime. Conservative leaders based their foreign policy on sympathies toward either Slavophile or Western schools of thought. This revived the old intellectual dilemma of 'Slavic versus Germanic civitisation', enhancing the connection between an ideology and foreign policy. The state doctrine of Nicholas II crystallised at the time of a deep systemic crisis in Russia. Therefore, this thesis emphasises the interdependence between domestic and foreign policies, as well as links between war and revolution. The ideology of officia1 St. Petersburg also depended on group interests within the ruling elite. The ideological difference and conflicting political interests among Russia's leading officials, particularly concerning Russo-German relations. prevented state nationalism from becoming a progressive and unifying force in Russian society. This paper concludes that Nicholas' ideology was transfomed from a conservative, reactive stance which embraced cautious expansionism, to an aggressive defensive doctrine of highly bureaucratised absolutism in the period between 1890 and 19 14. Germany played a dual role in this transfomation. She stood as a bastion of European conservatism and a shield for Russian autocracy, while presenting a major threat to Russia's search for influence and prestige within the European great power camp. The is the origin of every rennvation in politics. No government which does no? harmonise with the spirit of the titnes can evev stand against its po werful action. Paul Miliukov Acknowledgements There are many people responsible for the completion of this project. 1 wish to express my appreciation to Dr. Richard Debo, my thesis senior supervisor, for the guidance he provided throughout this project and his interest in my work. Thanks also to Dr. Martin Kitchen for critical evaluation of the thesis and useful editing advise; and to Dr. Denyl MacLean and Dr. Jack Little, for the assistance they provided on behalf of the faculty. I'm also grateful to Julie Barber Bowman, Joanna Koczwarski and Mary Ann Pope for their administrative help and moral support. Special thanks to the personnel of the Inter-library Loans Division of the Bennett Libraiy (Simon Fraser University): Todd Mundle, Christine Stojakovic ', Margot Dykstra, and Nancy Blake for their tireless efforts to locate rare primary sources for my research. In addition, I'm especially thankful to close fkiends and mentors: Bemie Pregler, for inspiring me to put my topic in perspective; Flora Pregler, for keeping my spirit high; and Lynda Gaylor, for her support. Special thanks to Natalia Ryaguzov, for her fiendship and help; and to Andrey Ibragirnov. for his sincere belicf in my work. 1 wish to thank my parents, Oleg and Galina, for encouraging me to study history. They are true inspiration in rny life. I'rn especially gratehl to my husband, Doug, who has given me support in every aspect of my work; and to my dear daughters, Elizaveta and Victoria, for their understanding and patience. 1 wish to dedicate this thesis to them. Table of Contents Approval 11 Abstract IllS.. Quotation iv Acknowledgemen ts v List of Maps vii Foreword xvi Introduction 1 Chapter 1 Historic roots of Russian national ideology 9 Chapter II "On the brink of the abyss": General crisis of autocracy and the official ideology Chapter III Ideological implications of the Russian economic, defence, and foreign policy 1 Econornic issues 2 Russian foreign policy. The German factor Chapter IV Russian conservative leadership and the Russo-German Relations 1 Nicholas II - the syrnbol of traditional dynastic attitude towards Germany 2 'European' versus 'Asiatic' outlook of Russian diplomacy: the international aspects of the 'orientation debates' 88 3 Building the future or preserving the past: impact of the Finance and lnterior Ministries on the state's policy and ideology 98 4 The growth of public opinion as an undermining factor in the presemation of bureaucratie absolutism 107 Conclusion Bibliography 118 List of Maps S.. 1. Russia and the Balance of Power in Europe 1890 - 1907 Vlll 2. Anglo-Russian conflict and Expansion in Central Asia 1846 - 1907 ix 3. Russia and lapan in the Far East 1860 - 1895 X 4. The Russian Response in the Far East 1895 - 1905 xi 5. China and the European Powers 1898 - 1904 xii .. 6. Russia, the Balkans, and the Coming War 19 12 - 19 14 x1u 7. The Germans of Russia 1710 - 1959 xiv 8. Russia's Western Frontier Since 1700 xv 9. The 1905 RevoIution in the Country-side 3 1 1 o. The 1905 Revolution in Towns 34 Il. Russian Industry by 1900 39 12. Trans-Siberian Railway 189 1 - 19 1 7 41 vii Map 2: Anglo-Russian Confiict and Expansion in Central Asia, 1846- 1907 ( Source: The Dent Atlas of Russiun History by Martin Gilbert ) RUSSIA AND JAPAN IN THE FAR EAST 1860-1895 threatened that slackers woutd beUsentto Kam- Map 3: Russia and Japan in the Far East, 1860- 18% ( Source: The Dent Atlas of Russian History by Martin Gilbert ) . Miles Map 4: The Russian Response in the Far East. 1895- 1905 ( Source: nie Dmt Atlas of'Ri~ssia>tHistotv by Martin Gilbert ) . -The Chinese frocitier m 1097 @ htsannemi by the European Pbwws in 1090 @ Rxt whii the United Slales wished to mxin 1900 but was stop& fmdoi so by Japan In 1068 the United !+tes had defé,ld Spain and annexed the Philippmes -.- Roposed partition of China between Russia -1 -1 ataii. Facranct hm.The idea wûs k- wied. as too many interests &shed. The British m Mia,bexanple. vvanid to ontroi the am psian e*plwalion.trade and diploytic influena m fibet, 1900-1904, resented by Brilain an+- British military Mission under Younghusband. whidi detealeci the Tibelans at Guru in 1904 and entered Uiasa. h 1907 Ruçsia agreed to allw Britain Io be the dominant foreign mrin Tibet ..IRUSSIA, MEBALKANS, AND THE COMING OF WAR 1912-1914 1 Russia's mid-century alignment with Germany was changed during the 1880's to a new alignment with France, white at the same time Austria and Germany drew closer together. In the two Balkan Wars of 1912 and 1913 Turkey was driven almost entirety from Europe, but Russia's position did not irnprove; for as a result of Countries in which Austrian and German influence worked against Russia. Greece had a pro-ûerman Turkey's defeat Austrian influence King; Turkey a pro- German Minister of War and increased'èvenfurther. In June 1914 virtualdictator; Bulgaria and Rumania had both a Sosnian Serb murdered the Austrian accepted alliance with the Central Powers heir to the throne, Archduke Franz- Ferdinand, at Sarajevo. Austria Area of Russia in which Germany hoped to expand invaded Serbia on 28 July 1914. as a result of war Russia then declared waron Austria. Russia's only two Balkan Allies, both threatened by Germany supported her ally Austria Ailstria. Austria had createdthe state of Albania in and declared waron Russia. France 1912 in order to cut Serbia off from the sea. and Britain joined Russia against Countries in western Europe sympathetic to Russia. Germany and Austria. Turkey France had a military alliancewith Russia dating hm attacked Russia in October 1914 1894. Britain a convent ion dating from 1907 Map 6: Russia, The Balkans, and the Coming of War, 1912- 1914 ( Source: The Dent Atlas of Russian History by Martin Gilbert ) xiii ., , n .> . - The western boundary of Russia in 1914 Baltic Germans. descendants of theTeutonic Knights and Hanseatictraders of the late12th aiid early 13thcenturies; incorporated into Russia1721; played a leading part in the Imperia1Russian civil and military services German agicultural colonies established in Russia from 1762 German workers emigrating to Russia in order to work in the new industrial centres of Russian Poland from 1880 a Towns with Iarge resident German communities, principally traders .- . j Home of half a million Germans by 1914. Estabiished 1918 as the Volga-Gerrnan Republic, a Soviet showpiece to encourage Germancommunism.