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Relationship between America and Russia at the time of Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace": A Critical Overview

Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" depicts the Napoleonic Wars, which took place between 1803 and 1815. During that period, Russia was not yet the Soviet Union and had a very different relationship with the United States. In fact, the two countries had very little interaction, as America was not yet a major player on the world stage, and Russia was focused on its own conflicts with Europe. They were generally friendly, but somewhat limited in terms of direct interactions.


At that time, Russia was ruled by Tsar Alexander I, who was generally considered to be a liberal monarch and was known for his interest in international affairs. Meanwhile, America was still a relatively new and developing country, having gained its independence from Britain just a few decades earlier. Despite these differences, there were several points of contact between America and Russia during this time. One of the most significant was the diplomatic mission of John Quincy Adams, who served as America's ambassador to Russia from 1809 to 1814. Adams was known for his efforts to improve trade relations between the two countries, as well as his interest in Russian culture and history. Liza Knapp's "Tolstoy's 'War and Peace': A Study" offers a close reading of the novel and explores the ways in which Tolstoy's philosophy from historical perspective is reflected in the text.

Additionally, there were several notable cultural exchanges between America and Russia during this period. For example, in 1803, the Russian diplomat Nikolai Rezanov visited San Francisco and established a trading post there. This contact led to several other cultural exchanges over the years, including the arrival of several Russian Orthodox missionaries in Alaska in the early 1800s.

However, it's important to note that America and Russia were not always on the same page politically during this period. For example, in 1812, Russia declared war on France, which was then led by Napoleon Bonaparte. America, which had previously been trading with both France and Britain, found itself caught in the middle of this conflict and was forced to choose sides.

Overall, then, the relationship between America and Russia during the time of "War and Peace" was complex and multifaceted. While there were certainly areas of cooperation and cultural exchange between the two countries, there were also political tensions.

However, by the time of the novel's publication in 1869, relations between America and Russia were becoming more complex. Both countries had become more powerful and were beginning to compete for global influence. The United States had just ended its Civil War, and Russia was modernizing under Tsar Alexander II. Despite their different forms of government, the two nations had some common interests, such as limiting the power of European nations like France and Germany.

During World War II, America and Russia were briefly allies, but after the war, their relationship became increasingly tense. The Soviet Union, of which Russia was the largest republic, became a global superpower, challenging America's position as the dominant world power. The two nations were locked in a struggle for influence and control that lasted for decades, a period known as the Cold War.

However, after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, America and Russia began to develop a new relationship. The two nations have cooperated on issues such as arms control, counterterrorism, and space exploration. Nevertheless, tensions have persisted, particularly in the aftermath of Russia's annexation of Crimea in 2014 and allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US presidential election and more recently Russia Ukraine conflict.

In conclusion, Leo Tolstoy's "War and Peace" portrays a time when America and Russia had little interaction. However, by the time of the novel's publication, the two nations were beginning to compete for global influence, and their relationship has been complex ever since. Despite periods of cooperation, such as during World War II, America and Russia have often been bitter rivals, particularly during the Cold War. Today, their relationship remains tense, with cooperation and conflict coexisting in a complicated and often unpredictable way.


Reference

1. Carden, P. (2007). The Cambridge Companion to Tolstoy. Edited by Donna Tussing Orwin. Cambridge/New York: Cambridge University Press, 2002. xv, 271 pp. $60.00 (cloth); $22.00 (paper). Canadian-American Slavic Studies, 41(4), 474–475. https://doi.org/10.1163/221023907x00707

2. Tolstoy on war: narrative art and historical truth in War and peace. (2013, February 26). Choice Reviews Online, 50(07), 50–3742. https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.50-3742

 3. Astvatsaturova, V. (2021, December 19). LEO TOLSTOY AND ENGLISH FAMILY NOVEL: CONTINUITY AND CONTROVERSY. LEO TOLSTOY AND ENGLISH FAMILY NOVEL. Globus: Social Sciences, 7(4(38)), 26–30. https://doi.org/10.52013/2713-3087-38-4-6


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