The Foreign Policy Factor of Reforms in Russia and Prussia at the Beginning of the 19th Century
Abstract
At the beginning of the 19th century both Russia and Prussia were absolute monarchies which preserved the feudal order. At the same time a small part of society embraced the ideals of the Enlightenment and was convinced of the necessity of reforms. Both of these states participated in the War of the Fourth Coalition and were defeated by France. However, the defeat of Russia was more a reputational one: after the Treaties of Tilsit Russia maintained its dominance in Eastern Europe. Prussia lost half of its pre-war territory and was forced to pay a large contribution. That happened to be a catalyst of the immediate reforms, whilst changes promoted by Alexander I in Russia still faced the opposition of the vast majority of society.
The character of Alexander I and his beliefs played an important role in the reform process in Russia, while reformers in Prussia replaced each other under the pressure of Napoleon. Because of it the priority of each reformer was strengthening the state institutions. The practical component of the reforms preceded the theoretical one, where the reformers’ views contradicted each other. Stein proposed to orientate on England in transformations, whilst Hardenberg – on the political system of Napoleonic France. In both states the reforms were interrupted by the War of Liberation and the Patriotic War, however in Prussia the transformations had been by that moment more complete. After the defeat of Napoleon and the Congress of Vienna neither in Russia, nor in Prussia the process of systematic reforms was not continued until the next foreign political commotion.
About the Authors
Arseniy A. Zhdanov
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Vladimir A. Karpus
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
Nikita D. Tikhonov
MGIMO University
Russian Federation
Russian Federation
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Review
For citations:
Zhdanov A.A., Karpus V.A., Tikhonov N.D. The Foreign Policy Factor of Reforms in Russia and Prussia at the Beginning of the 19th Century. International Aspect. 2023;4(2):4-25. (In Russ.)
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