The Historiography of the First Russian Antarctic Expedition, 1819-21

This book explores how Russian historians and authors have interpreted Russia's first Antarctic expedition (1819-21) over the past 200 years, considering its impact on Russia's Antarctic policy and potential implications for Antarctica. It challenges the Soviet decision in 1949 to revise the expedition's history, asserting that Russian seamen sighted the Antarctic mainland in 1820, which remains the official position in Russia today.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 324 pages
Publication date: 28 April 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This captivating book delves into the diverse perspectives of Russian historians and authors over the past two centuries, exploring their thoughts on Russia's inaugural Antarctic expedition (1819-21). It examines the profound impact of their discussions on Russia's Antarctic policy and the potential consequences for Antarctica itself.

In particular, it scrutinizes the Soviet decision in 1949, influenced by the cultural policies of late Stalinism, to revise the traditional view of the expedition. This revision claimed that Russian seamen were the first to sight the Antarctic mainland in January 1820, a claim that remains official in Russia today.

However, the author astutely highlights that the case for this claim has never been firmly established, and attempts to make it have harmed the work of subsequent Russian historians. This book offers a timely assessment of Russian historiography on the Bellingshausen expedition, shedding light on the connections between the priority claim and national policy goals.

By examining these intricate relationships, this book makes a significant contribution to the rich history of Antarctica, providing valuable insights into the complex dynamics of historical interpretation and its impact on shaping our understanding of the frozen continent.

Weight: 455g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030595487
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021