Description |
x, 352 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm |
Bibliography |
Includes bibliographical references (pages 310-343) and index. |
Contents |
"Free Russia" : origins of the first crusade, 1881-1905 -- "The United States of Russia" : culmination and frustration, 1905-20 -- Doors opened and closed : opportunities and obstructions in early Soviet Russia, 1921-40 -- Revival : hopes for a new Russia during the Grand Alliance, 1941-45 -- Visions of "liberation", 1945-53 -- Evolution, not revolution : the eclipse of "liberation" and the pursuit of "liberalization", 1954-74 -- Recovering the faith : renewal of the crusade, 1974-80 -- The Reagan mission and the "evil empire", 1981-89 -- Mission unaccomplished : America and post-Soviet Russia. |
Summary |
"David Foglesong tells the story of American efforts to liberate and remake Russia since the 1880s. He analyzes the involvement of journalists, political activists, propagandists, missionaries, diplomats, engineers, and others in this grand crusade, with special attention to the influence of religious beliefs on Americans' sense of duty to emancipate, convert, or reform Russia. He discusses the impact of popular debates about changing Russia on how Americans felt about the United States, showing how the belief that Russia was being remade in America's image reaffirmed faith in America's special virtue and historic mission. He also demonstrates that, since the late nineteenth century, opposition to the spread of American influence in Russia has been characterized as evil. While the main focus is on American thinking and action, the book also discusses the responses of Russian and Soviet governments, Russian Orthodox priests, and ordinary Russians to American propaganda campaigns, missionary work, and popular culture."--BOOK JACKET. |
Subject |
United States -- Relations -- Soviet Union.
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United States -- Relations -- Russia.
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Political messianism -- United States -- History.
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Soviet Union -- Relations -- United States.
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Russia -- Relations -- United States.
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Soviet Union -- Foreign public opinion, American.
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Russia -- Foreign public opinion, American.
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United States -- Foreign public opinion, Russian.
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Soviet Union -- Civilization -- American influences.
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ISBN |
9780521855907 hardback |
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052185590X hardback |
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9780521671835 paperback |
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0521671833 paperback |
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