The Historical Evolution of Russian Nationalism- Nicholas I and the Crimean War

Abstract

When Russian Republic getting embroiled in the Ukraine crisis, the strong influence of east Slavic nationalism and the conflict it create have been proved. Since the establishment of the Soviet Union, the system of constituent republics met the original need for multi-ethnic autonomy within Russia, and also laid the groundwork for numerous subsequent issues. To understand the current nationalism in Russia, it’s necessary shifting the research focus to the period of Tsarist Russia. From the failed Crimean War to the Crimean referendum to join the federation, Russia’s ideology after the collapse of the Soviet Union inherited the original Tsarist Russia. The modern ideology of Russia can be summarized as: tradition, stability maintenance, and expansion. The persistence of tradition was manifested in the conservative reforms of the serfdom system, which, together with the backdrop of the Industrial Revolution, contributed to Russia’s more complex national conditions compared to other powerful nations. Stability maintenance is manifested in Russia’s strict internal policies and its efforts to resolve conflicts among different ethnic groups within the empire through ideology, while also uniting all the people under the banner of the Orthodox Church. Expansion was manifested through numerous wars waged externally, which was in line with that of other major powers, although there were some differences in driving forces.