Polonophobia and the Russian State (1837-1867): Conspiracy, Misrepresentation, and Memory

Session Submission Type: Panel

Brief Description

This panel highlights Russian (mis)representations of the Poles as a politically and religiously unreliable element and threat to the empire under emperors Nicholas I and Alexander II. Focusing on three alleged Polish conspiracies against the empire or activities to spur disloyalty to the regime, the papers explore official and unofficial constructions of Polonophobia and its use to attain imperial goals. Created within government bureaus, investigative bodies, and editorial offices, most of the anti-Polish narratives were inspired by and sought to reproduce the common Russian memory of the 1830-31 and 1863-64 uprisings – an image of treason against the tsarist state and a malevolent plot to destroy Russia’s territorial and moral integrity. Polonophobia was central to defining Russianness, erasing Belarusian and Ukrainian identity, developing security policing, and bolstering religious nationalism.

Sub Unit

• History: 1800-1900

Chair

• Yoko Aoshima, Hokkaido U (Japan)

Papers

• The Poles Are to Blame: 1830s Belarus and Ukraine in the Eyes of Russian Officials - Barbara J. Skinner, Indiana State U

• The Innocents Are Guilty Too: Investigating and Remembering the 'Vilna Drama' of 1840-41 - Yasyn Abdullaev, UC Berkeley

• Spinning and Censoring the Trial of Anton Berezowski in Imperial Russia - Heather Leigh Bailey, U of Illinois at Springfield

Discussant

• Mikhail Dolbilov, U of Maryland, College Park