The lecture explores the unexpected origins of Muscovite power and the continuity of identity from Kiev to present-day Russia.
It reflects on the complexity of tracing origins, comparing various narratives and highlighting the intricate beginnings of states and nations.
Deep dives
The Lecture on the Rise of Muscovite Power
The lecture delves into the unexpected origins of the Muscovite state and its power. It highlights the ongoing war, referring to the justification intertwined with the continuity of identity from Kiev to present-day Russia. The involvement of indigenous Asian fighters in the Russian army and interactions with the people of Kiev are discussed, shedding light on Bodhiats and their role in the war.
Philosophical Reflection on Origins
A philosophical reflection on the concept of origins is presented, emphasizing the complexity of tracing the roots of historical events. The discussion touches on various origin stories from different narratives, highlighting the intricacies involved in understanding the beginnings of states and nations. The comparison to Ovid's Metamorphoses illustrates the idea of transformation and encounters shaping historical developments.
Post-Viking States and Influences
Exploration of post-Viking states is detailed, connecting the Normans' invasion of England in 1066 to the broader European historical context. The influence of Vikings in regions like England, Sweden, Norway, and Rus is discussed, emphasizing their significant role in shaping European history and state formations post-Viking era.
Expansion of Muscovy and Global Reach
The expansion of Muscovy towards Europe, Siberia, and the Pacific Ocean is highlighted, showcasing a transition into a global player. The lecture points out Russia's increased involvement in global trade scenarios and territorial conquests, with notable impacts on neighboring regions and indigenous groups. The intersection of territorial expansion, trade routes, and encounters with other nations underpins Muscovy's evolving power dynamics.
Class 7 continues the exploration of post-Viking states toward the rise of Muscovite power.
Timothy Snyder is the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University and a permanent fellow at the Institute for Human Sciences in Vienna. He speaks five and reads ten European languages.
Ukraine must have existed as a society and polity on 23 February 2022, else Ukrainians would not have collectively resisted Russian invasion the next day. What does it mean for a nation to exist? Is this a matter of structures, actions, or both? Why has the existence of Ukraine occasioned such controversy? In what ways are Polish, Russian, and Jewish self-understanding dependent upon experiences in Ukraine? Just how and when did a modern Ukrainian nation emerge? For that matter, how does any modern nation emerge? Why some and not others? Can nations be chosen, and can choices be decisive? If so, whose, and how? Ukraine was the country most touched by Soviet and Nazi terror: what can we learn about those systems, then, from Ukraine? Is the post-colonial, multilingual Ukrainian nation a holdover from the past, or does it hold some promise for the future?
Course reading list
Video version of this course available on YouTube.
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