Russias Fight for Identity Essay -- Geopolitics, History

In 1829, Petr Chaadeav began to write his Philosophical letters. He initiated Russias search for national identity. He was a major figure in the development of Russian intellectual history. The impact of the letter shook and changed the thinking of Russia. It argued that Russia was worthless and socially behind. Chaadeav was very harsh in his letter and appears to be bias. He made valid points only when they are not entirely true. The evidence shows that Russia was indeed a bit imitative but they were not the only country in search for national identity. Though Chaadeavs letter was very harsh, it gave Russia a sense of originality. Russia established their identity and is place by their culture. Russias literature and art was big contribution to the worlds progress though they were seen to be unoriginal. Petr Chaadeav summarized his nations history as a brutal barbarism to begin with, followed by an age of gross superstition, then by a ferocious and humiliating foreign domination. He go on by sayong we are alone in the world, we have given nothing to the world, we have taught it nothing. We have not added a single idea to the sum perfect of human ideas we have not contributed to the progress of the human spirit. The Letter electrified Russian creativity Many called Chaadeav insane, but he was very intellectual. Chaadeavs statement slightly justice codes No one has a fixed sphere of existence there are no proper habits, no rules that govern anything insisted that Russias law codes were non-existent. This is not entirely true. As stated in the previous paragraphs, the Table of Ranks is a prime example implemented by Peter the Great. Laws made by Catherine and the Russkaia Pravda are also great examples of law... ... country in history is truly original. Every country has taken ideas from another. Whether its religion, law codes, slaves, etc.no idea truly belongs to on country. kit and boodle CitedKaiser, Daniel H., and Gary Marker. Reinterpreting Rus sian history readings, 860-1860s. New York Oxford University Press, 1994. Print. (tags none edit tags)Kaiser, Daniel H., and Gary Marker. Society The Lowere and Middling Estates. Reinterpreting Russian history readings, 860-1860s. New York Oxford University Press, 1994. 295. Print. (tags none edit tags)Polnoe sobranie sochinenii i izbrannye pisma,. Russian mental History An Anthology.. Moscow Nathaniel Knight , 1991. 90, 92-93. Print. (tags none edit tags)Turgenev, Ivan Sergeevich. Sketches from a hunters album. Complete ed. London, England Penguin Books, 1990. Print. (tags none edit tags)