The Controversial Frontier: Poland in the Russian Empire’s Policy through N.A. Orlov’s Correspondence

The article is devoted to the study of contemporaries’ views on the Polish question in the Russian Empire in the 19th century. The problem, being considered in the context of international relations, domestic politics and the national specifics of the region, is presented through the analysis of the correspondence of the Russian diplomat Prince N.A. Orlov with Tsesareviches (heirs apparent) Grand Dukes Nicholas Alexandrovich and Alexander Alexandrovich. The article presents an approach to assessing the evolution of imperial policy from granting autonomy to the Kingdom of Poland to the events of 1863–1864, emphasizing the complexity of the balance between centralization and consideration of local characteristics. Special attention is paid to the role of the Polish uprisings as some kind of catalysts for changes in the governance of the region. The purpose of the study is to examine the contradictions and consequences (as reflected in Russian elites’ consciousness, according to the analysis of N.A. Orlov’s manuscripts) of the Russian Empire’s policy in the Polish territories and neighboring ones.

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