Russian Revolution, Russian Reaction: Utopian Myths, Violent Reality
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
If there is one thing Russia is known for it is revolution. From Peter the Great's forced Westernization to the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917 and the break-up of the USSR in 1991, Russia has repeatedly been the scene of cataclysmic transformations. Yet Russia's rulers have consistently struggled to keep the forces of change at bay through repression. Vladimir Putin's present day policies are only the latest manifestation of this long term trend. Why does Russia seem perpetually caught between revolutionary transformation and reactionary stagnation?
This talk will explore this issue focusing particular attention on the revolutions of 1917 as well as the break-up of the Soviet Union and its aftermath.
Dr. Knight, a renowned specialist on Russia, is the current Chairman of the History Department at Seton Hall, professor of history since 1998 at SHU, teaching courses on Russian and East European history, Western Civilization and Historical Methods. Before receiving his Ph.D. from Columbia University, Prof. Knight lived in Russia for several years. In his research on nineteenth century Russia he has written, among other things, about scientific societies, folklore collectors, ethnographic exhibitions and expeditions, Orientalism, and Russian conceptions of nationhood. Forthcoming work includes studies of Russian scholarly biography, particularism in Russian science, Russian conceptions of race and a monograph on the history of Russian ethnography.
In his talk Dr. Knight will discuss the Russian revolutions of 1917, their legacy, and their relevance to Russia in the present day.
Q&A session will follow Dr. Knight's presentation. Everyone is welcome! Slavic food will be served!
