Imperial Borderland: Bobrikov and the Attempted Russification of Finland, 1898–1904 - Hardcover

Polvinen, Tuomo

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0822315637 ISBN 13: 9780822315636

Publisher: Duke University Press Books, 1995

Synopsis

In 1904 the Russian Governor-General in Helsinki, Nikolai Ivanovich Bobrikov, was assassinated by a Finnish nationalist. In this study by Finland’s leading diplomatic historian, Tuomo Polvinen examines the tense and troubled relationship of Finland to the tsarist empire and the nature of Russian nationality policy at the turn of the century.
Bobrikov’s appointment to the Grand Duchy of Finland in 1898 by Nicholas II led to a policy of intensified Russification that ended nearly a century of political equilibrium between the two states. With access to previously unavailable Russian archival material, Polvinen provides a uniquely balanced and informed view of this dramatic new phase in Russian-Finnish relations. Presenting Bobrikov in the overall context of Russian policy toward Finland, Polvinen investigates such issues as Bobrikov’s goals for Finland, the effect of Russian politics on its Finnish policy, and the influence of Russian journalists during this crucial period.
Offering insight into the workings of the Russian government and its borderland policy during a time of rising international tension, Imperial Borderland will attract readers of Baltic, Finnish, Russian, and Scandinavian history. Those with an interest in the continuing importance of nationalism and nationalities policy in this region of the world will also find this book valuable.

About this title

From the Back Cover

"[Polvinen's] success has been helped by his approach, which is to see Bobrikov's career in Finland as an episode in Russian history. . . . It is a major achievement to allow us to look at Bobrikov's work from a Russian point of view, and set in its proper perspective, as a characteristic attempt by an imperialist power to adjust the security situation in one of its border provinces."--A. F. Upton, "English Historical Review" (from a review of the Swedish edition)

About the Author

Tuomo Polvinen is Research Professor at the Academy of Finland. He is the author of many books, including Between East and West: Finland in International Politics, 1944–1947

About this edition

• Publisher: Duke University Press Books
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0822315637
• ISBN 13: 9780822315636
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 272