The American mission and the "Evil Empire" : the crusade for a "Free Russia" since 1881 / David S. Foglesong.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Foglesong, David S.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Relations.

United States--Relations--Soviet Union.

United States.

Soviet Union.

United States--Relations--Russia.

Political messianism--United States--History.

Political messianism.

History.

Soviet Union--Relations--United States.

Russia--Relations--United States.

Russia.

Soviet Union--Foreign public opinion, American.

Russia--Foreign public opinion, American.

United States--Foreign public opinion, Russian.

Soviet Union--Civilization--American influences.

Civilization.

Physical Description:

x, 352 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Place of Publication:

Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 2007.

Summary:

David Foglesong tells the fascinating 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.

Contents:

1 "Free Russia": origins of the first crusade, 1881-1905 7

2 "The United States of Russia": culmination and frustration, 1905-20 34

3 Doors opened and closed: opportunities and obstructions in early Soviet Russia, 1921-40 60

4 Revival: hopes for a new Russia during the Grand Alliance, 1941-45 83

5 Visions of "liberation," 1945-53 107

6 Evolution, not revolution: the eclipse of "liberation" and the pursuit of "liberalization," 1954-74 129

7 Recovering the faith: renewal of the crusade, 1974-80 155

8 The Reagan mission and the "evil empire," 1981-89 174

9 Mission unaccomplished: America and post-Soviet Russia 196.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 310-343) and index.

ISBN:

9780521855907

052185590X

9780521671835

0521671833

OCLC:

122309210

Online:

Publisher description

Contributor biographical information