Americans in the 'Russian Chicago': Samara as a Place of Russian-American Contacts

• In Event: Urban Space as Intersection of Russian-American Relations

Abstract

Traditionally, the Russian provinces (with a few exceptions) remained on the periphery of the interest of researchers in the history of Russian-American relations. But if the capitals played a key role in the development of political relations between the two states, then the provincial cities of Russia were important in economic, cultural, humanitarian and personal contacts between Russians and Americans. Samara was one of these cities, it has acquired the fame of "Russian Chicago", for American travelers in 1880s it “recalled the new towns of America”. Americans played the most significant role in the history of Samara in its most dramatic moments. The American consulate worked in Samara during the Civil war in Russia, American assistance in the famine of 1891-1892 and especially the activities of the ARA in the early 1920s saved many lives. On the other hand, the experience in Samara had an impact on the future lives of many Americans. So Samara became a place of active Russian-American interaction.

Author

• Aleksandr Borisovich Okun, Samara U (Russia)