"The book analyzes Emperor Alexander I's foreign policy in the years 1815-23, a critical period in the European restorations that followed the victory over Napoleon. It highlights Russia's integration into European society, understanding of European order, contribution to peacemaking, and perspective on what it meant to act in concert"--
Focusing on the common soldier in the Russian army during the early 19th century, this social history explores the soldiers as a distinct social class and the army as a key social institution. Through extensive research in previously unused Soviet archives, it delves into various aspects of military life, including conscription, social mobility, and officer-soldier relations. The author examines the tension between military efficiency and traditional autocratic authority, highlighting the challenges of modernization while maintaining existing social structures rooted in serfdom.
Exploring the intersection of ideals and reality, the book delves into the perspectives of enlightened Russians in the eighteenth century regarding society, equality, and justice. By analyzing literary plays, historian Elise Wirtschafter uncovers how these intellectuals navigated the contradictions of their authoritarian political environment while striving for social progress. This examination offers insights into the complexities of their thoughts and the societal structures they grappled with during this transformative period.