| Revision as of 11:47, 31 October 2005 view sourceLysy (talk | contribs)Autopatrolled, Extended confirmed users, Pending changes reviewers21,125 edits lead: "negative attitude" seemed vague and imprecise← Previous edit | Revision as of 03:03, 8 November 2005 view source Moonshiner (talk | contribs)228 edits Added some details on religious and modern aspects of Russophobia. Added former Soviet section (needs filling in!).Next edit → | ||
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| ==Ethnic== | ==Ethnic== | ||
| Dislike of Russians, which is sometimes described as "Russophobia", is sometimes a ] of the policy of ] in the times of ] and ] and, in some non-Russian parts of the Russian Federation (e.g. ]), a backlash of the policies of modern Russian government. However, it would be wrong to see that as the only or main reason. Russophobia has a long tradition and already existed many centuries before Russia became one of major powers in |
Dislike of Russians, which is sometimes described as "Russophobia", is sometimes a ] of the policy of ] in the times of ] and ] and, in some non-Russian parts of the Russian Federation (e.g. ]), a backlash of the policies of modern Russian government. However, it would be wrong to see that as the only or main reason. Russophobia has a long tradition and already existed many centuries before ] became one of major powers in ]. | ||
| In the ], when Poland was not yet partitioned, ] was known for her words: ''"The Polish people hate us so deeply, that there is no other way out for us and our security, than to subordinate and to control them"'' {{fact}}. | Some claim that the history of the long Russo-Polish conflict for the heritage of the ancient ] (which ] eventually lost) and the loss of ] imperial status contributed to these dislikes. In the ], when Poland was not yet partitioned, ] was known for her words: ''"The Polish people hate us so deeply, that there is no other way out for us and our security, than to subordinate and to control them"'' {{fact}}. The policy of ], initiated by ] chief of state ] actively promoted anti-Russian propaganda and sought to raise such sentiments in the various ethnic minorities of the ] and later the ]. The anti-Russian rhetoric of ] and other politically active members of the ] diaspora both during the time of the ] and continuing today can also be seen as promotic Russophobia. | ||
| During the ], ] and ] entered a period of imperialistic expansion, many times competing with each other (see, for example, ]). British propaganda of the time portrayed ] as uncultivated infidels and ]tic barbrarians. These views spread to other parts of the world and are frequently reflected in literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ironically, these views can now be seen on Misplaced Pages itself, as many of the articles are in whole or part from the ] of ], many of the Russia-related articles in which are heavily tinted with the popular Russophobic attitudes of the time. | |||
| ⚫ | On the individual level it is difficult to draw a distinction from a casual ], observable for any two peoples living side by side or even intermixed and historically involved in armed conflicts. | ||
| ] media sometimes makes accusations of Russophobia against certain ]n countries, formerly under the influence or direct control of the ]. These are frequently connected with violations of the human rights of the ] diaspora residing in those countries (said to be particularly grievous in the ], ], and ]). | |||
| The accusations of Russophobia are often brought up by the Russian government and press in connection to the ] that was under the influence or direct control of Moscow, sometimes heavy-handed, for the most of the ]. | |||
| ⚫ | On the individual level it is difficult to draw a distinction from a casual ], observable for any two peoples living side by side or even intermixed and historically involved in armed conflicts. | ||
| ⚫ | ] attempted to strengthen the russophobe stereotypes with his racial theory of ]s. Although a few of the people who dislike Russians might support ], most of those living today are not related to that and do not consider Russians to be subhumans. | ||
| ⚫ | ] attempted to strengthen the russophobe stereotypes with his racial theory of ]s. Although a few of the people who dislike ] might support ], most of those living today are not related to that and do not consider ] to be subhumans. | ||
| The ] in the ], the ], and the associated negative portrayal of "Russkies" in cinema and fiction significantly contributed to Russophobia among Americans. | The ] in the ], the ], and the associated negative portrayal of "Russkies" in cinema and fiction significantly contributed to Russophobia among Americans. | ||
| ==Religious Aspects== | |||
| Russophobia is closely connected with ] aspects. In the centuries following the ] of ], the ] led several efforts aimed at gaining control of ] territory and converting its inhabitants into ] (see, for example, the ] of the ] and ] in ] and ]). ] Christians were vilified as heathens and heretics, and ]y itself labeled backwards and barbarian. Today, a similar anti-] view can be seen in some media accounts seeking to vilify ] due to their involvement in the ]. | |||
| ==International== | ==International== | ||
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| "Russophobia" and "Russophobic" are the terms used to denote anti-Russian sentiments in politics and literature. | "Russophobia" and "Russophobic" are the terms used to denote anti-Russian sentiments in politics and literature. | ||
| In modern international politics this term is also used more specifically to describe ] and outdated attitudes towards modern ] preserved from the times of the ]. Many ]s, whether justified or simply introduced as elements of political war against the ], are still observed in the discussions of the relations with Russia. | In modern international politics this term is also used more specifically to describe ] and outdated attitudes towards modern ] preserved from the times of the ]. Many ]s, whether justified or simply introduced as elements of political war against the ], are still observed in the discussions of the relations with ]. | ||
| ==Vocabulary of Russophobia== | |||
| 'Muscovy' (the ] rendition of ]) is frequently used in Russophobic rhetoric to refer to ], its government, or its people, both in a historical context and in modern times. Ethnic ] are frequently labeled as 'Muscovites' by Russophobes. | |||
| ==Russophobia in the former Soviet Union== | |||
| ==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 03:03, 8 November 2005
Russophobia is a dislike or fear of Russia, Russians or Russian culture. Russophobia is the opposite of russophilia
The term is used in two basic contexts: in ethnic conflicts involving Russians, and in international politics.
Ethnic
Dislike of Russians, which is sometimes described as "Russophobia", is sometimes a backlash of the policy of Russification in the times of Imperial Russia and Soviet Union and, in some non-Russian parts of the Russian Federation (e.g. Chechnya), a backlash of the policies of modern Russian government. However, it would be wrong to see that as the only or main reason. Russophobia has a long tradition and already existed many centuries before Russia became one of major powers in Europe.
Some claim that the history of the long Russo-Polish conflict for the heritage of the ancient Kievan Rus (which Poland eventually lost) and the loss of Polish imperial status contributed to these dislikes. In the 18th century, when Poland was not yet partitioned, Catherine the Great was known for her words: "The Polish people hate us so deeply, that there is no other way out for us and our security, than to subordinate and to control them" . The policy of Prometheism, initiated by Polish chief of state Józef Piłsudski actively promoted anti-Russian propaganda and sought to raise such sentiments in the various ethnic minorities of the Russian Empire and later the USSR. The anti-Russian rhetoric of Zbigniew Brzezinski and other politically active members of the Polish diaspora both during the time of the Soviet Union and continuing today can also be seen as promotic Russophobia.
During the 19th century, Great Britain and Russia entered a period of imperialistic expansion, many times competing with each other (see, for example, The Great Game). British propaganda of the time portrayed Russians as uncultivated infidels and Asiatic barbrarians. These views spread to other parts of the world and are frequently reflected in literature of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Ironically, these views can now be seen on Misplaced Pages itself, as many of the articles are in whole or part from the Encyclopædia Britannica of 1911, many of the Russia-related articles in which are heavily tinted with the popular Russophobic attitudes of the time.
Russian media sometimes makes accusations of Russophobia against certain Eastern Europen countries, formerly under the influence or direct control of the USSR. These are frequently connected with violations of the human rights of the Russian diaspora residing in those countries (said to be particularly grievous in the Baltic Republics, Ukraine, and Moldova).
On the individual level it is difficult to draw a distinction from a casual xenophobia, observable for any two peoples living side by side or even intermixed and historically involved in armed conflicts.
Adolf Hitler attempted to strengthen the russophobe stereotypes with his racial theory of subhumans. Although a few of the people who dislike Russians might support nazism, most of those living today are not related to that and do not consider Russians to be subhumans.
The Red Scare in the United States, the Cold War, and the associated negative portrayal of "Russkies" in cinema and fiction significantly contributed to Russophobia among Americans.
Religious Aspects
Russophobia is closely connected with religious aspects. In the centuries following the East-West Schism of 1054, the Roman Catholic Church led several efforts aimed at gaining control of Russian territory and converting its inhabitants into Catholicism (see, for example, the Northern Crusades of the Teutonic Knights and Polonization in Ukraine and Belarus). Orthodox Christians were vilified as heathens and heretics, and Orthodoxy itself labeled backwards and barbarian. Today, a similar anti-Orthodox view can be seen in some media accounts seeking to vilify Serbs due to their involvement in the Yugoslav wars.
International
"Russophobia" and "Russophobic" are the terms used to denote anti-Russian sentiments in politics and literature.
In modern international politics this term is also used more specifically to describe cliches and outdated attitudes towards modern Russia preserved from the times of the Cold War. Many prejudices, whether justified or simply introduced as elements of political war against the Soviet Union, are still observed in the discussions of the relations with Russia.
Vocabulary of Russophobia
'Muscovy' (the Polish rendition of Moscow) is frequently used in Russophobic rhetoric to refer to Russia, its government, or its people, both in a historical context and in modern times. Ethnic Russians are frequently labeled as 'Muscovites' by Russophobes.
Russophobia in the former Soviet Union
See also
References
- New York Times After Centuries of Enmity, Relations Between Poland and Russia Are as Bad as Ever, July 3, 2005 (subscription may be required for full text)
- Anatol Lieven, "Against Russophobia", World Policy Journal, Volume XVII, No 4, Winter 2000/01; a review of a modern Russophobia in international politics, available online.