The Life and Activities of British Ambassadors in Post-Petrine Russia in the Context of the “New Diplomatic History

Based on the secret correspondence of the British ambassadors who were at the court of the reigning Russian Empresses Anna Ioannovna, Elizabeth Petrovna, Catherine II, as well as using new research methods (prosopographic method, “new” diplomatic history, imagology), the author presented a collective portrait of diplomats and highlighted their activities in Russia. The correspondence of the ambassadors with the British Secretary of State, which had previously been used only in fragments by domestic and foreign historians, made it possible to clarify or refute certain controversial facts in the history of the Russian state (was Empress Elizabeth Petrovna really actively involved in government, was Grand Duchess Ekaterina Alekseevna bribed by the British, who was preparing a plan for a palace coup with the assistance of one of the diplomats, etc.). The diplomats’ dispatches provided an opportunity to get an idea of the peculiar “cuisine” of preparation and negotiation by the British side, as well as the position of the Russian empresses and their ministers in decision-making. Based on the research done, the author comes to the conclusion that Great Britain in the period under review pursued a far from friendly policy towards the Russian Empire. Starting with the resumption of diplomatic relations, the conclusion of trade (1734) and defensive (1741) treaties, the British tried to draw Russia into a war for other people's interests (the War of the Austrian Succession of 1740—1748), and then completely betrayed it, siding with a common enemy — Prussia. A major role in the anti-Russian course of British foreign policy was played by the British ambassadors, who used such “soft power” methods as bribery, blackmail and espionage against their “natural ally” Russia. Although the Russian side was often inferior to the British in the negotiation process, it gradually acquired the skills of conducting diplomatic duels. The next generation of Russian diplomats will adopt the achievements of their predecessors

Adversary · Foreign policy · Negotiation · Portrait · Historical Art and Culture Studies · Historical Influence and Diplomacy · Scottish History and National Identity