The Baltic Provinces and the Russian Empire: Provincial Privilege and Imperial Prerogative in the Process of Agrarian Reform in Livland, Estland and Kurland, 1765-1849

[摘要] The dissertation examines the process of agrarian reform in Livland, Estland and Kurland in the period 1765 to 1849 from a provincial/imperial perspective. The interaction of provincial privilege and imperial prerogative is seen as a major catalyst in the reform process. The perspective not only sheds light on the development of agrarian reform in the Baltic provinces but illuminates the nature of the Baltic/Russian relationship in the period under study. The research is interpretative and analytical within a chronological framework with thematic emphases in each chapter. It attempts to remove both the reform initiatives and the historical Baltic/Russian relationship from traditional interpretation and provide fresh perspectives. There are no notable works of synthesis on Baltic/Russian relations in the era of reform. This research is a step towards filling that gap. In addition, the reappraisal of Baltic/Russian historical relations as well as the comprehensive and detailed survey of agrarian legislation in the Baltic provinces from 1765 to 1849 should be of particular use to British scholars since there is a significant lack of writing in Baltic history of the period in English. The major literature used in the research was predominantly German and Russian.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow

[关键词] Russian history, Baltic studies, Economic history