Despotism or Enlightened Absolutism? Towards the Image of Russia in the Work of Abbé Raynal Histoire des Deux Indes

The article reveals the image of Russia in the work of Abbé Raynal “Histoire des deux Indes”. The subject of this study based on the imperial theory thesis in the Enlightened France recorded in the parts of the “Histoire des deux Indes” devoted to Russia. French philosophers criticized the empires activities destroyed indigenous peoples and sold people into slavery. When they discovered Russia, they began to compare it with the already studied and familiar models: prevailed in Russia estate system with the colonial one, and the serf peasant with the slaves exploited in the colonies, i.e. they operated with categories familiar to them. The article was written within the framework of the new imperial history. We will look at the image of Russia in of Abbé Raynal’s work based on such categories of analysis as state policy, population, trade and suggestions for improvement. We will argue that the image of Russia was similar to the eastern despotic states, as well as that there no need for the Russian state to export foreign state models.

Keywords

Raynal, Histoire des deux Indes, 18th century, new imperial history, image of Russia, the Age of Enlightenment

Received

29.11.2021

Publication date

30.04.2022

Number of characters

24758

Cite

GOST	Demicheva T. Despotism or Enlightened Absolutism? Towards the Image of Russia in the Work of Abbé Raynal “Histoire des Deux Indes” // ISTORIYA – 2022. – V. 13. – Issue 2 (112) [Electronic resource]. URL: https://history.jes.su/S207987840019886-3-1 (circulation date: 27.07.2024). DOI: 10.18254/S207987840019886-3
MLA	Demicheva, Taisiia "Despotism or Enlightened Absolutism? Towards the Image of Russia in the Work of Abbé Raynal “Histoire des Deux Indes”." ISTORIYA 13.2 (112) (2022) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840019886-3
APA	Demicheva T. (2022). Despotism or Enlightened Absolutism? Towards the Image of Russia in the Work of Abbé Raynal “Histoire des Deux Indes”. ISTORIYA 13(2 (112)) DOI: 10.18254/S207987840019886-3

100 rub.

When subscribing to an article or issue, the user can download PDF, evaluate the publication or contact the author. Need to register.

Number of purchasers: 2, views: 175

Readers community rating: votes 0

1. Baryshnikov V. N., Borisenko V. N., Demicheva T. M. Kolonializm i imperiya v «Istorii obeikh Indij» abbata Rejnalya. // Klio. 2016. № 6 (114). S. 13—22.

2. Demicheva T. M. Pravovye problemy otnoshenij metropolii i kolonij v period Velikoj frantsuzskoj revolyutsii. // Klio. 2017. № 7 (127). S. 103—111.

3. Mezin S. A. Didro i tsivilizatsiya Rossii. M.: Novoe literaturnoe obozrenie, 2018.

4. Mezin S. A. Vlast' i obschestvo v Rossii glazami Deni Didro // Istoriya i istoricheskaya pamyat'. 2016. Vyp. 13/14. S. 59—68.

5. Moryakov V. I. Frantsuzskie prosvetiteli Rejnal' i Didro o Samoderzhavii i krepostnom prave v Rossii // Vestnik Moskovskogo universiteta. Seriya 8. Istoriya. 2017. № 6. S. 31—45.

6. Condorcet M. Esquisse d'un tableau historique des progres de l'esprit humain. Ouvrage posthume. P.: Agasse, 1794—1795.

7. Demicheva T. M., Baryshnikov V. N., Borisenko V. N. The Right And The Theory Of The Empire In The Thought Of European Enlightenment of The Second Half of The 18th Century // Bylye gody. Rossijskij istoricheskij zhurnal. 2017. № 44 (2). P. 387—395.

8. Ehrard J. Idée et figure de l’empire dans l’Esprit des lois // Siècles. 2003. № 17. P. 41—54.

9. Feugère A. Un précurseur de la Revolution. L’abbe Raynal (1713—1796). Documents inédits. Angoulême: Angoulême Impr. ouvrière, 1922.

10. Leca-Tsiomis M. Guillaume-Thomas Raynal, Histoire philosophique et politique des établissements et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes. Edition critique // Recherches sur Diderot et sur l'Encyclopédie. 2010. № 45. P. 175—177.

11. Montesquieu Ch. De l'esprit des loix: in 4-vol. Londres, 1757. Vol. 1.

12. Montesquieu C. Oeuvres complettes de Montesquieu, précédées de la vie de cet auteur. 1816. T. 5: Lettres persanes.

13. Raynal G.-Th. Histoire philosophique et politique des établissemens et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes: 10 tomes. Genève: Jean-Leonard Pellet, Imprimeur de la Ville & de l'Académie, 1780. T. III.

14. Raynal G.-Th. Histoire philosophique et politique des établissemens et du commerce des Européens dans les deux Indes: 10 tomes. Genève: Jean-Leonard Pellet, Imprimeur de la Ville & de l'Académie, 1780. T. X.