Russia on the Danube: Empire, Elites, and Reform in Moldavia and Wallachia, 1812-1834

Russia's Eastern policy aimed to turn Moldavia and Wallachia into a buffer zone and a springboard for military operations against Constantinople. The Moldavian and Wallachian nobility used the Russian-Ottoman rivalry to preserve and expand their autonomy, leading to institutional reforms and the emergence of modern Romania.

\n Format: Hardback
\n Length: 388 pages
\n Publication date: 15 November 2021
\n Publisher: Central European University Press
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Russia on the Danube: Divergent Interests and Uneasy Cooperation

Russia's Eastern policy aimed to transform Moldavia and Wallachia, the two Romanian principalities located north of the Danube, from Ottoman vassals into a controllable buffer zone and a springboard for future military operations against Constantinople. This period, spanning from 1812 to 1834, is explored in detail in Victor Takis' book, Russia on the Danube. Takis' meticulous examination of plans and memoranda composed by Russian administrators and the Romanian elite sheds light on the significant consequences of this encounter.

The Moldavian and Wallachian nobility played a strategic game by leveraging the Russian-Ottoman rivalry to preserve and expand their traditional autonomy. Through their interactions with Russian officials, they implemented comprehensive institutional reforms that solidified territorial statehood on the lower Danube. These reforms laid the foundation for the emergence of modern Romania several decades later.

While Russia's policy was driven by self-interest, it also had profound implications for the region. The Russophobia among a significant portion of Romanian intellectuals did not hinder the development of a sense of national identity and unity. The turbulent period between 1812 and 1834 marked a crucial juncture in Romanian history, shaping its political, social, and cultural landscape.

In conclusion, Russia on the Danube offers a valuable insight into the complex dynamics of Russian-Romanian relations during a pivotal period. Through its examination of the plans and memoranda exchanged between Russian and Romanian officials, the book highlights the strategies employed by the Moldavian and Wallachian nobility to preserve their autonomy and the significant contributions made by Russia to the emergence of modern Romania. This period serves as a reminder of the enduring influence of historical events on shaping the present-day world.

\n Weight: 712g\n
Dimension: 159 x 238 x 28 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9789633863824\n \n