The Origins of the Slavic Nations : Premodern Identities in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus

This 2006 book documents developments in the countries of eastern Europe, including the rise of authoritarian tendencies in Russia and Belarus, as well as the victory of the democratic 'Orange Revolution' in Ukraine, and poses important questions about the origins of the East Slavic nations and the essential similarities or differences between their cultures. It traces the origins of the modern Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian nations by focusing on pre-modern forms of group identity among the Eastern Slavs. It also challenges attempts to 'nationalize' the Rus' past on behalf of existing national projects, laying the groundwork for understanding of the pre-modern history of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The book covers the period from the Christianization of Kyivan Rus' in the tenth century to the reign of Peter I and his eighteenth-century successors, by which time the idea of nationalism had begun to influence the thinking of East Slavic elites. This Book Traces The Origins Of The Modern Russian, Ukrainian And Belarusian Nations By Focusing On Premodern Forms Of Group Identity Among The Eastern Slavs. It Also Challenges Attempts To Nationalize The Rus' Past On Behalf Of Existing National Projects, Laying The Groundwork For A New Understanding Of The Premodern History Of Russia, Ukraine And Belarus. The Book Covers The Period From The Christianization Of Kyivan Rus In The Tenth Century To The Reign Of Peter I And His Eighteenth-century Successors, By Which Time The Idea Of Nationalism Had Begun To Influence The Thinking Of East Slavic Elites.--jacket. 1. The Origin Of Rus ́-- 2. What Happened To The Rus ́ Land? -- 3. The Lithuanian Solution -- 4. The Rise Of Muscovy -- 5. The Making Of The Ruthenian Nation -- 6. Was There A Reunification? -- 7. The Invention Of Russia -- 8. Ruthenia, Little Russia, Ukraine. Serhii Plokhy. Includes Indexes. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes. The latest developments in the countries of eastern Europe, including the rise of authoritarian tendencies in Russia and Belarus, as well as the victory of the democratic "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine, pose important questions about the history of the East Slavic nations and the essential similarities or differences between their cultures. This book traces the origins of the modern Russian, Ukrainian and Belarusian nations by focusing on premodern forms of group identity among the Eastern Slavs. It also challenges attempts to "nationalize" the Rus' past on behalf of existing national projects, laying the groundwork for a new understanding of the premodern history of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. The book covers the period from the Christianization of Kyivan Rus' in the tenth century to the reign of Peter I and his eighteenth-century successors, by which time the idea of nationalism had begun to influence the thinking of East Slavic elites. Contents ... vii Preface ... ix Note on transliteration, dates, and translations ... xii Maps ... xiii ◦ Introduction ... 1 1. The origins of Rus’ ... 10 2. What happened to the Rus’ Land? ... 49 3. The Lithuanian solution ... 85 4. The rise of Muscovy ... 122 5. The making of the Ruthenian nation ... 161 6. Was there a reunification? ... 203 7. The invention of Russia ... 250 8. Ruthenia, Little Russia, Ukraine ... 299 Conclusions ... 354 ◦ Author index ... 363 General index ... 367