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History Russia & The Former Soviet Union

Russia in 1913

by (author) Wayne Dowler

Publisher
Cornell University Press
Initial publish date
Sep 2012
Category
Russia & the Former Soviet Union, 20th Century, General
Recommended Age
18
Recommended Grade
12
  • Paperback / softback

    ISBN
    9780875806877
    Publish Date
    Sep 2012
    List Price
    $30.95
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9780875804279
    Publish Date
    Oct 2010
    List Price
    $53.95

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Description

A pivotal year in the history of the Russian Empire, 1913 marks the tercentennial celebration of the Romanov Dynasty, the infamous anti-Semitic Beilis Trial, Russia's first celebration of International Women's Day, the ministerial boycott of the Duma, and the amnestying of numerous prisoners and political exiles, along with many other important events. A vibrant public sphere existed in Russia's last full year of peace prior to war and revolution. During this time a host of voluntary associations, a lively and relatively free press, the rise of progressive municipal governments, the growth of legal consciousness, the advance of market relations and new concepts of property tenure in the countryside, and the spread of literacy were tranforming Russian society.

Russia in 1913 captures the complexity of the economy and society in the brief period between the revolution of 1905 and the outbreak of war in 1914 and shows how the widely accepted narrative about pre-war late Imperial Russia has failed in significant ways. While providing a unique synthesis of the historiography, Dowler also uses reportage from two newspapers to create a fuller impression of the times. This engaging and important study will appeal both to Russian studies scholars and serious readers of history.

About the author

Wayne Dowler is a professor of History at Scarborough College, University of Toronto.

Wayne Dowler's profile page

Editorial Reviews

Dowler does a great service to the profession with his assessment and compilation of relevant historiographic trends and arguments that often challenge the traditional narrative.... The volume provides a solid overview of the various elements of pre-war Russian society, emphasizing cohesion and cooperation over revolution and providing a sense of the complexity of Imperial Russia on the eve of its transformation.

Canadian-American Slavic Studies