CEU Electronic Theses and Dissertations, 2023
| Author | Arkhina, Anna |
|---|---|
| Title | Officers and soldiers in the colonial wars of the Russian Empire. Khiva Campaign of 1873 case |
| Summary | This thesis explores Russian officers and soldiers in the Khiva Campaign of 1873 and discusses the benefits which they could get from participation in the colonial campaign. For officers, the desire for awards, especially orders, promotion, and financial wellbeing, motivated participation in the Khiva campaign. They were also interested in exploring Khiva as a "terra incognita" and providing service to Russia. They received generous rewards for participation compared to the lower ranks. Lower ranks, mostly recruits, had poor career prospects and were less enthusiastic about the campaign. However, hereditary soldiers, the Cossacks, were excited about the campaign and eager to settle scores with the Khivans. The thesis contributes to knowledge of Russian military culture during the reform period and expands understanding of military campaigns of the Russian Empire in Turkestan. It complements the discussion of Turkestan campaigns with the Khiva campaign of 1873, providing insight into the personal interests and motivations of officers and common soldiers. By analyzing the benefits of participation in colonial campaigns, the thesis provides a new perspective on the role of the army as an institution in the Russian Empire's turbulent period of the second half of the 19th century |
| Supervisor | Shaw Charles |
| Department | History MA |
| Full text | https://www.etd.ceu.edu/2023/arkhina_anna.pdf |
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