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From Pagans to Putin: A Six-Part Russian History Course with Vadim Malinovsky

From Pagans to Putin: A Six-Part Russian History Course with Vadim Malinovsky


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Russia is more than 1150 years old. Yet it is the events of the twentieth century– the Revolution and WWII, Stalin’s Political Repressions and Cold War, Perestroika and fall of the USSR–that are more widely known. This six-part course will trace the entire history of Russia: from Novgorod and Kiev in the ninth century to the biggest country in the world in the twenty-first century. We will start our six-part course from the very beginning of statehood in the ninth century AD. We will trace our way through the Mongol, Polish, and Napoleon invasions, the establishment of the Rurik dynasty (which ruled the country for 800 years), and the Romanovs. Of course, the dramatic history of the twentieth century–the fall of the Empire, revolution, WW2, and the Cold War) will play a very important role in our course. We will conclude with the latest events of the twenty-first century.

Led by historian Vadim Malinovsky this course will give participants a deeper understanding of the origins of Russia as a state. Designed to inform curiosity as well as future travels, participants will come away with an increased understanding of what is the basis of the political traditions of this controversial country.

Lecture 1: Where Does Russian Land Come From? (862-1380)

Our first lecture will look at the origins of Russians based on the oldest historical sources. We will start with the establishment of the first dynasty of Russian princes in Ladoga and Novgorod: Ruriks. We will learn about the oldest monuments, buildings, and even centuries-old excavation sites. We will discuss Kievan Rus, why Kiev is considered the “mother of Russian towns”, as well as learning when and why Russians adopted Christianity. At the end of this lecture, we will talk about the Invasion of the Mongols and the beginning of the process of liberation of Russian lands.

Lecture 2: Moscow, the Third Rome (1380-1703)

This seminar will focus on the unification of Russia after Mongol rule and the great expansion of Russian territory. From the perspective of the state, it was transformed from the Grand Duchy of Moscow to the Tsardom of Russia. We will also learn about the first Tsar Ivan the Terrible and his role in history. We’ll discuss the ‘Time of Troubles’ and the establishment of the new dynasty, the Romanovs. We will finish this lecture with the most famous Tsar of Russia, Peter the Great, who transferred the capital from Moscow to Saint Petersburg and made great reforms in all aspects of the state.

Lecture 3: Epoch of the Palace Coups (1703-1801)

Lecture three will focus on the great changes in the Russian way of life that turned from Asia to Europe. Russo-Swedish wars, Russo-Turkish wars, and Imperial ambitions were the prominent hallmarks of the eighteenth century. We will talk about the reign of two great emperors in Russian history and their achievements: Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. We’ll also take time to mention all five of the coups that happened during this century. At the end of this lecture, we will come away with an increased understanding of why Russia completely changed during the eighteenth century. We will also discuss the idea that the natural way of development of the country was broken by the reforms of the eighteenth century.

Lecture 4: The Long 19th-Century (1801-1917)

This seminar will explore wars, reforms, and the revolutionary movement in the Russian Empire. The key events of the first part of the century were the war with Napoleon in 1812-1814 and the Decembrists revolt of 1825. We will also talk about the most difficult war of the century to remember, the Crimean War. We will discuss the abolition of serfdom and the origins of future revolutions in Russia: there were three of them in the first quarter of the twentieth century. We will finish this lecture with the abdication of the last Emperor and the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917. It is the year that is considered the end of the nineteenth century according to the periodization of Russian history.

Lecture 5: Life Has Become Better. Life has Become Happier (1917-1953)

This lecture is dedicated to a long list of events of twentieth-century history: the civil war between the White and Red Armies; the establishment of the USSR; the political struggle between Stalin and Trotsky; industrialization, collectivization and dekulakization; Gulag and the Great Terror of the 1930s; war with Finland, and key battles of WW2 on the Eastern front. We will finish this talk with the death of Stalin and a discussion about the heritage of the first leaders of Soviet Russia.

Lecture 6: The Greatest Geopolitical Catastrophe of the Century (1953-2020)

Our series finale will discuss the late Soviet Epoch of Khrushchev and Brezhnev and their achievements. The focus of the lecture will be on the fall of the USSR and the reasons that brought this country to collapse. We will talk about Mikhail Gorbachev and his role in history: how he was extremely popular, then lost his popularity, and later, how propaganda made him the most unpopular politician of the twentieth century. We will talk about the formation of the newly independent Russia of Boris Yeltsin and about the troubles it faced. We will finish with the relapse of Russia to the regime of Putin (which can be recognized as a dictatorship). We will look at the last 20 years of Russia trying to discern what heritage will be left after him and what place he will have in Russian history from the ninth to the twenty-first century.

Vadim is a historian (MA) who has graduated from Lomonosov Moscow State University. His focus is contemporary Russian history. He is working on a PhD dissertation on Stalin's national policy.

How does it work?

This is a six-part series held weekly and hosted on Zoom. Please check the schedule for the specific dates and times for each lecture.

Is there a reading list in advance?

Though the course is open to participants with no background on Russian history, there are suggested readings for further investigation. You will receive this soon after course registration.

How long are the lectures?

Each lecture is 90 minutes long with time for Q&A.

How much is the course?

The course is $210 for six lectures.

Is a recording available?

In general, our courses are not recorded. However, if you need to miss a lecture please let us know in advance and we can arrange for a recording for that session on an individual basis.

This conversation is suitable for all ages.

90 minutes, including a 30 minute Q&A.

Customer Reviews

Based on 47 reviews
85%
(40)
13%
(6)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Final part of Pagans to Putin

This final story of Pagans to Putin made me realize that Democracy is quite fragile and that the Russians never ever got to expeiriene anything good about it when the Union of Soviet Republics disolved! They are the product for a thousand years of "Strong men" to lead them.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Final part of Pagans to Putin

This final story of Pagans to Putin made me realize that Democracy is quite fragile and that the Russians never ever got to expeiriene anything good about it when the Union of Soviet Republics disolved! They are the product for a thousand years of "Strong men" to lead them.

P
P.R. (Québec, CA)
To better understand the present

Excellent 6 part course which is essential to understand the recurrent themes in the history of Russian up to the present time.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
From Pagans to Putin

This was part 5 - the Revolution to the end of WW2. Alot to cover in only 1 1/2 hours! Vadim did it and what a bloody history!

L
L. (Lynchburg, US)
Well organized series

Proceeding through the series I find the organization of the complex political and ethnic groups, geography, and public figures very helpful. In addition to the Russian viewpoint the lectures relate the history to other perspectives and various interpretations so that the complexities are more understandable. I hope this will be repeated in the future for anyone who misses it.

Customer Reviews

Based on 47 reviews
85%
(40)
13%
(6)
2%
(1)
0%
(0)
0%
(0)
S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Final part of Pagans to Putin

This final story of Pagans to Putin made me realize that Democracy is quite fragile and that the Russians never ever got to expeiriene anything good about it when the Union of Soviet Republics disolved! They are the product for a thousand years of "Strong men" to lead them.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
Final part of Pagans to Putin

This final story of Pagans to Putin made me realize that Democracy is quite fragile and that the Russians never ever got to expeiriene anything good about it when the Union of Soviet Republics disolved! They are the product for a thousand years of "Strong men" to lead them.

P
P.R. (Québec, CA)
To better understand the present

Excellent 6 part course which is essential to understand the recurrent themes in the history of Russian up to the present time.

S
S.S. (Oxford, US)
From Pagans to Putin

This was part 5 - the Revolution to the end of WW2. Alot to cover in only 1 1/2 hours! Vadim did it and what a bloody history!

L
L. (Lynchburg, US)
Well organized series

Proceeding through the series I find the organization of the complex political and ethnic groups, geography, and public figures very helpful. In addition to the Russian viewpoint the lectures relate the history to other perspectives and various interpretations so that the complexities are more understandable. I hope this will be repeated in the future for anyone who misses it.