A new article by Maria Ivanova in the journal "Perm University Herald. History"

A new article "Smolensk Province after the War of 1812: between Symbolic Glory and Economic Marginalization" by the Institute Research Assistant Maria Ivanova was published in the 1st issue of the journal "Perm University Herald. History" in 2024.

Abstract:
The paper addresses multiple narratives about Smolensk province that appeared after the French invasion of Russia specifically focusing on its economic history. The purpose of the article is to identify the economic condition of the Smolensk province and the image of the region after the events of 1812. The author suggests that in the 30 years following the war, there was a significant gap between the public perception of the Smolensk province and its actual economic state and position. The Smolensk province became a marginalized region, both economically and in terms of governance, and was unable to return to its pre-war levels. The problem of restoring the province was associated with both the inadequate measures taken by central imperial ministries and the work of local officials. Despite this, a narrative emphasizing loyalty, heroism, and the significance of Smolensk and the province emerged in the mental space of the Russian Empire shortly after the war. The relevance of this narrative was articulated among regional actors, mainly from the economic perspective. As a result, this led to a contradiction between its symbolic image and the actual state of the province. The article is based on archival materials from the funds of the State Archive of the Russian Federation (GA RF), the State Archive of the Smolensk Region (GASO), and the Russian State Historical Archive (RGIA).

Full text of the article is available here.