Text | Lanzi Ji
Ed Lanzi Ji
In other words, since the outbreak of World War II, the Soviet Union and Poland have been inseparable in the world forum.
In fact, hundreds of years ago, the historical dispute between Russia and Poland had already revealed the future......
The destruction of Polish independence in 1768-1795
While reading historical documents recently, I had the privilege of discovering a history of Poland being the target of the conquest of Russia, Austria, and Prussia in constant rotation.
It is of great value to our understanding of the motives and forces behind the development of European history.
From 1700 until 1768, the country, which had shone in Polish history, barely maintained its territorial integrity in the face of endless wars and political upheaval.
In 1768, the authority of the Russian Tsar was growing, and Poland was struggling with the iron curtain of hopelessness.
At this time, the Poles did not succumb to Russian hegemony, but after breaking through the siege, they formed an alliance with Turkey to resist the powerful invaders.
However, the victors of wars were often not the weaker side, and immediately after the defeat of the Turks by Russia in 1774, they launched another terrible Dinner Knife Operation against Poland lying on the cutting block: the First War of the Three Kingdoms.
Precious territories and resources were mercilessly devoured, and the dignity of the Poles was trampled underfoot.
In 1795, despite the stubborn resistance of the Polish army, its independence was finally shattered completely, and Poland was divided exterminatorily.
The victims of this partition were not only the Polish people, but also about six million new subjects who had since become slaves of the Russian Tsar, and more than a million Jews became part of this huge number.
All of this is deplorable and casts a shadow over the future of Europe as a whole.
Schematic diagram of the Russian annexation of Poland from 1772 to 1795
Russia in the Americas from 1784 to 1867
In the vast and magical earth, there is a magnificent area "Northwest North America", which is the state of Alaska that we know today.
This area has been a wrestling ground for major empires since ancient times, from the ancient Inca Empire to later Portugal, Spain, England, France and other countries, all of which once had their own colonies or trade routes.
However, it was its northern neighbor, the Russian Empire, that really included northern Alaska.
The Russians began to set foot in North America in the 17th century, first establishing their first colony in Starayak Kodiak. Years later, in 1799, the Russians established new towns in the area.
The town was soon devastated by the resistance of the local aborigines. But this did not stop the Russians from building it, and in 1804 they established the Arkhangelsk fortress in the new place, on which the prosperous commercial city of Sitka was built.
Later, in 1811, the Russians established Roseburg, which existed mainly to counter the Spanish influence on the San Francisco region at that time. Sadly, in 1841, Roseburg finally fell into the hands of American trading companies.
In addition, the Russians established a trading post on the island of Hawaii in 1820.
Although the operation was ultimately fruitless, they showed the world the exuberant desire of the Russians and their ambitious strategic vision.
This spirit of exploration was on full display in 1821, when they demanded exclusive access to the area north of the 51st parallel. However, this appeal was strongly thwarted by the Monroe Doctrine introduced by the United States in 1823.
Soon after, in 1827, they made a similar request in the area north of 54°40 north latitude, where activities such as fishing and trade could be carried out.
By this time, Americans had begun to oppose their growing influence in North America.
In 1834, the Russians began building Fort Wrangel to curb the expansion of British influence on the Pacific coast, but this move also made the United States more strategic in Alaska.
Of course, the most famous turning point in Alaska's history was the 1867 deal.
At that time, the Russian Empire finally decided to transfer all of Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands, the St. Lawrence Islands, and the Pribilov Islands, to the United States for $8 million.
This decision also led to the expulsion of most of the 30,000 Aleutian natives who had survived under Russian rule, with only about 3,000 surviving.
This event not only changed the geopolitical situation in North America, but also showed the world the strength of the Russians in territorial disputes.
Although the stories of these colonies are long over, they leave us with a never-ending reflection that never stops. Alaska's history may teach us that no matter how much we expand, we can only achieve lasting success if we respect the rights and interests of others.
Russia and Turkey in 1721-1829
In the long course of world history, disputes and reconciliation between countries are often intertwined with the game of their respective interests. From these twists and turns to vivid stories, we can get a glimpse of the national wisdom and diplomatic strategy contained in them.
One: The Peace of Belgrade of 1739
During this period, due to the decline of the Turkish Empire and the strength of Russia, the balance of power between the two gradually became unbalanced. In order to avoid a further deterioration of the situation, the parties decided to sign this agreement.
In the peace treaty, special clauses explicitly stated that Russian ships were not allowed to enter the Sea of Azov or the Black Sea, which had a serious impact on Russia's economic development.
Therefore, Russia had to start looking for a new way out.
II. The Kucek-Kenaki Peace Treaty of 1774
During this period, the European powers rose to prominence and formed a new diplomatic force called the Holy Alliance.
On that basis, the Kucek-Kenaki Peace Treaty was signed. The peace treaty provided the right of passage for Russian merchant vessels, allowing them free access to the Black Sea and through the straits connecting the Black Sea to the Mediterranean.
As for goods passing through the strait, the other country has the right to expropriate them free of charge, which also makes trade quite risky.
Three: The Treaty of Adrianople of 1829
In that agreement, Russia received commitments from all States to enable its non-weapons vessels to navigate safely and freely in the Mediterranean region.
At this point, the Russian navy was able to enter the Mediterranean, which had a profound impact on the political landscape of the whole of Europe.
These three events are just a few of the snapshots in the rich history of international diplomacy. Looking back at this period of history, whether it is the Turkish Empire, the Holy Alliance, the Peace of Belgrade or the Treaty of Adrianople, each treaty exudes a strong cultural heritage and political wisdom behind it, and the signing of each document is a pursuit of maximizing profits.
Russia and Sweden in 1700-1809
In the long course of history, competition and cooperation between major powers have never stopped.
Since 1621, Sweden has controlled the Baltic Sea, the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia. However, since then, this vast ocean has not been calm.
In the mid-17th century, the Russian Empire under Tsar Peter the Great began to emerge as a new power on the European continent. By forming alliances with the two major vassal states of Poland and Denmark, he succeeded in stabilizing the movements of the Western powers.
In 1714, with the establishment of diplomatic relations with Prussia and Hanover, the Russian Empire suddenly rose to the top of the European power map and included Ingrea as its territory.
Admittedly, Ingraya is only a relatively small area occupied by Russia, but it is an extremely difficult and strategically important passage to the Baltic Sea.
Drawing on historical experience, we can find that international relations are not just a zero-sum game, and good cooperation can also bring about mutual benefit and win-win results.
It was on this basis that in 1721, after a painful struggle, the Russian Empire defeated Sweden and finally broke its long-standing dominance.
It can be said that this event not only established the Russian Empire's right to speak on the European political stage, but also marked a profound change in the European political landscape.
Since then, the political rift between the nations has deepened, culminating in the protracted Napoleonic Wars.
Although the Russian Empire suffered two defeats in this war, it further consolidated its control over the Baltic region in 1808 by annexing Finland.
1800-1900 Russia in the Caucasus
No other region on the vast world map has experienced so many changes and regime changes as the "Caucasus region".
Whether it was the Scythians, the Persian Empire, the Roman Empire, the Arab Empire, the Khazar Khanate, and later the steppe peoples, the Mongols and the Ottoman Turkish Empire, all set foot in this land, established political power, and exercised the right to rule.
However, it is embarrassing that these powerful countries did not last long, and their hegemony faced a stronger power challenge.
It was not until the late 18th and early 19th centuries that the region was truly in Russian hands, and it continues to this day. During this period, the vast land of the Caucasus also gave birth to many tribes, and different language systems were formed due to differences in living environment and cultural traditions.
Since ancient times, the Caucasus region has attracted politicians and military strategists from all over the world with its unique geographical location and diverse ethnic cultures.
This land was also a source of revolutionary activity, and it repeatedly resisted the oppression and oppression of foreign rulers, especially the strong resistance to Russia.
In 1879, the strongman Stalin was born in the city of Gori, in the Georgian region.
Today's Caucasus is still full of complexity and diversity.
Different cultures, different beliefs, and different customs and Xi are intertwined in this small land, forming an extremely beautiful but extremely bizarre picture.
In any case, it is this uniqueness and complexity that has shaped today's Caucasus and made it even more fascinating.
Russia under Nicholas I from 1825 to 1855
With all due respect, the gendarmes are a misunderstood or incomprehensible role in modern society, yet they are undoubtedly one of the cornerstones of state power in that era of passion and change.
It's like Nicholas I under the gendarmerie of Europe, unique and mysterious. They have rectified domestic order with an iron fist and defended territorial security with foreign warfare, and they are worthy of the reputation of the so-called "European gendarme."
In 1827, the innovative Nicholas I created a special gendarmerie unit under the Ministry of the Interior, which covered police investigations, riot suppression, and border defense.
In order to ensure that the whole country could unite and fight until the last moment, he divided the entire territory into more than 40 gendarmerie districts, each under the command of a senior general, in order to promote the early infrastructure and army reorganization of the empire.
By 1846, he had created an elite cavalry force to secure the railway line between Moscow and St. Petersburg.
Time flies, and the wheels of history roll forward.
In 1837, Nicholas I decisively implemented a reform and demanded a comprehensive restructuring of the gendarmerie district, after which the total number of gendarmerie soldiers increased from about 4,000 to 18,000.
By 1855, that number had climbed to a staggering 25,000, and more human and material resources had been invested to establish state authority and support the implementation of government policies.
However, you may ask, how do gendarmes play their important role in this complex and changing world?
For example, during the famous Greek War of Independence, the soldiers of the gendarmerie reserve did their best to protect the glory and dignity of Russia, directly clash with enemy artillery fire, and bravely charged head-on, showing great courage and determination.
It can be seen from this that at critical moments, the gendarmes can often stand up and become a solid shield to defend national sovereignty and the interests of the people.
As a symbol of justice and the rule of law, the gendarmes are not afraid of challenges and move forward bravely, which is the meaning of their existence.
The Polish uprising of 1831
In 1815, Napoleon, the mighty man in history, suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Waterloo, marking the collapse of the European feudal system and sounding the clarion call for liberal democracy.
In June of the same year, the Russian Empire handed over the new Polish regions it occupied to the Tsar himself as an independent kingdom, the Kingdom of the Polish Conference.
However, this political compromise did not last long, and immediately after the death of Tsar Alexander I, the new monarch, Nicholas I, imposed a policy of restricting civil liberties in Poland.
Finally, in 1830 the Polish people, who had risen up for freedom and independence, launched a massive uprising against it.
However, their most powerful ally, France, did not provide them with the substantive assistance they had hoped, and their hopes were dashed. In the end, the struggle ended with the powerful Russian army suppressing it by force.
Looking back, it was a time of storm and change.
The author believes that the defeat of Napoleon opened the prelude to the modern history of Europe, and the revolution and struggle in Poland symbolized the hope of national liberation.
The Polish uprising of 1861
In the long course of history, Poland is like a mirror, reflecting the changes in the international landscape and the twists and turns of political wrestling among countries.
Let's go back to 1831, when a war against Russian oppression was raging in Poland.
However, the revolt, led by the Polish aristocracy and landowners, took a long time to turn into a massive revolt in 1860 that spread to the country's middle class and intellectuals.
In 1861, the entire territory of the Kingdom of the Polish Conference was in flames. They fought bravely and devoted three years of arduous struggle.
Despite this, the heroic rebel army failed to change the trajectory of its fate after all, and its anti-Russian struggle ended in failure.
In the process, the Tsarist government had to seek the aid of the armies of Austria and Prussia to deal with the political crisis that was on the brink of life and death.
Looking back, the context behind this war is quite complex.
One: From the perspective of the international atmosphere
Since the end of the Napoleonic Wars, the major European powers have gradually formed a stable pattern, and an important means of maintaining their dominance is to suppress the feudal forces within them.
Second: from the perspective of the domestic environment
The rising aristocracy, which formed the main force of the Polish uprising, was increasingly dissatisfied with the old system, setting the stage for the outbreak of the revolution.
Three: from the perspective of historical influence
This incident not only exacerbated the tension between Tsarist Russia and its neighboring countries, but also profoundly affected the political situation in Eastern Europe, and became a significant landmark event for its future development.
epilogue
Time flies, and on the stage of the ancient and modern world, Russia has achieved a magnificent chapter in galloping across the country.
From the countless sonorous footprints marked on the geographical map, we can gain insight into her glorious cultural attractions, unveil her brilliant historical picture, and understand her profound cultural connotation.
Here, the map has become a concise historical document, but also a magnificent and solid cultural monument, which shows us the majestic spiritual pulse of the evolution of human civilization.
Looking at the marks on the geographical map, there is no trace left by time.
They carry the historical context, allowing us to observe the rich cultural heritage of this beautiful land, and to feel the historical frenzy that comes from the resilience of life and the rolling forward.
Looking back at the past, I don't know if you have noticed that every major historical change will give birth to a deep and thick historical fog, which is the cold trace standing on the shale and the glorious witness of the progress of civilization.
To read a map is to read history.
As long as we touch these historical symbols with our hearts, we can deeply understand the pulse of Russian civilization, perceive the inner heritage of Russian culture, and experience the magnificent historical changes of Russia.
In this way, we can really enter Russia, into the depths of his soul.
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Stanhope, Henry,Soviet Strength at Sea’ The Times (London,， 25 January1971)Sullivan, Joseph L.,“Decembrists in Exile’, Haruard Slavic Studies, vol 4(The Hague，1954)
Russia's Attempts to Open Japan', Russian Review, Wildes, Harry Emerson, vol 5 (New York, 1945)Yakunskiy, V.K.The Industrial Revolution in Russia', Cahiers du Monde Russe et Sovietique (The Hague, 1961)