Makutchev A. V.

“On the Designs of Russia”, a Book by Colonel G. De Lacy Evans (1787–1870) P.76- 85.

UDC 327(410:47)«18»

DOI 10.37724/RSU.2022.74.1.007

Abstract. The article discusses some aspects of Anglo-Russian relations in the second quarter of the 19th century, namely, the discussions held in Britain regarding further relations with Russia in the context of the Russo-Turkish war that began in 1828. Russiaʼs activities in the Balkans and the prospect of the collapse of the Ottoman Empire made British society heatedly argue what position Britain should take in this situation. Some were convinced that immediate intervention in the Balkan events was necessary to counteract Russia, which allegedly threatened the existing balance of power in Europe. The main arguments in favor of this position were summarized by G. De Lacy Evans in his book “On the Designs of Russia”, one of the most significant Russo-phobic works in Britain. Evans systematized the main “fears” of the British in relation to Russia and presented his own scenario of a possible conflict with Russia. Others believed that the threat from Russia was exaggerated, and Britain should continue its policy of non-interference in order to promote its commercial and geopolitical interests. Arguments in favor of this position can be found in a pamphlet published in response to Evansʼ book. Authored by a person who claimed himself to be a non-alarmist, the said pamphlet was an anthem of those who believed that a conflict with Russia could not be beneficial and could get Britain involved in a major war. Further Anglo-Russian relations were largely predetermined by these opposing views

Keywords: the Big Game, De Lacy Evans, balance of power, diplomacy, Russophobia, Russo-Turkish war.

References:

1. Boriskin V. V. Russia and Great Britain: Problems of Worldview in Political and Historical Context. Srednerusskij vestnik obshhestvennyh nauk [Middle Russian Bulletin of Social Sciences]. 2008, no. 3, pp. 47–52. (In Russian).

2. Degoev V. V. Vneshnjaja politika Rossii i mezhdunarodnye sistemy: 1700–1918 gody [Russian Foreign Policy and International Systems: 1700–1918]. Moscow, ROSSPJeN Publ., 2004, 494 p. (In Russian).

3. Erofeev H. A. Tumannyj Al’bion: Anglija i anglichane glazami russkih: 1825–1853 [Allbion: England and Englishmen as Viewed by Russian People: 1825–1853]. Moscow, Sicence Publ. 1982, 320 p. (In Russian).

4. Zhidkova O. V. Russo-Turkish War in 1828–1829 and Russian Diplomacy in Russian and France. Vestnik Rossijskogo universiteta druzhby narodov. Serija “Istorija Rossii” [Bulletin of People’s Friendship University of Russia. Russian History series]. 2006, no. 3, pp. 74–78, Available at : https:// cyberleninka.ru/article/n/russko-turetskaya-voyna-1828-1829-gg-i-diplomatiya-rossii-i-frantsii (accessed 09.05.2021). (In Russian).

5. Zhidkova O. V., Popova E. A. Russian and French Diplomatic Relations and the Greco-Turkish Conflict in the 1820s. Vestnik Brjanskogo gosudarstvennogo universiteta [Bulletin of Bryansk State University]. 2020, no. 1 (43), pp. 44–51. DOI: 10.22281/2413-9912-2020-04-01-44-51. (In Russian).

6. Igolkin I. Ju. Russo-French Campaign in India. Vestnik Voronezhskogo gosudarst-vennogo universiteta. Serija “Lingvistika i mezhkul’turnaja kommunikacija” [Bulletin of Voronezh State University. Linguistics and Intercultural Communication series]. 2007, no. 2–1, pp. 158–161, Available at : https:// cyberleninka.ru/article/n/o-pohode-russko-frantsuzskih-voysk-v-indiyu (accessed: 30.05.2021). (In Russian).

7. Karacuba I. V. Rossia poslednej treti XVIII — nachala XIX v. v vosprijatii anglijskih sovremennikov [Russia in the Last Third of the 18th — Early 19th Centuries as Perceived by English Contemporaries]. Moscow, 1986, 24 p. (In Russian).

8. Krasnik P. I. English Parliament and Polish Uprising in 1830–1831. Retrospektiva: Vsemirnaja istorija glazami molodyh issledovatelej [Retrospect. World History as Viewed by Young Researchers]. 2012, no. 7, pp. 12–23, Available at : https://cyberleninka.ru/article/n/angliyskiy-parlament-i-polskoe-vosstanie-1830-1831-godov (accessed 09.05.2021). (In Russian).

9. Ljahov V. A. Russkaja armija i flot v vojne s Ottomanskoj Turciej v 1828–1829 godah [Russian Army and Navy in Russo-Turkish War in 1828–1829]. Yaroslavl, Upper-Volga Publ., 1972, 304 p. (In Russian).

10. Mil’china V. A. Foreword. Russia i Francija: Diplomaty. Literatory. Shpiony [Russia and France: Diplomats. Writers. Spies]. St. Petersburg, Hyperion Publ., 2006, 524 p. (In Russian).

11. Orlov A. A. “Astrein vek”. Velikobritanija, Russia i problema novogo mirovogo po-rjadka v evropejskoj politike pervoj poloviny XIX veka. (1815–1854 gody) [The Age of Astrein. Great Britain, Russia and the New World Order in the Politics of the First Half of the 19th Century. (1815–1854). Moscow, Moscow State Pedagogical University Publ., 2019, 304 p. (In Russian).

12. Rashin A. G. Naselenie Rossii za 100 let (1811–1913 gody) [Russian Population over 100 Years (1811–1913). Moscow, Gosstatizdat Publ., 1956, 350 p. (In Russian).

13. Shestakov V. P. Anglijskij akcent: anglijskoe iskusstvo i nacional’nyj harakter [English Accent: English Art and National Character]. Moscow, Russian State Humanitarian University Publ., 2000, 186 p. (In Russian).

14. A Few Words on our Relations with Russia Including Some Remarks on a Recent Publication by Colonel De Lacy Evans, Entitled “On Designs of Russia” by A Non-alarmist. London, Baldwin and Cradock Publ., 1828, 58 p.

15. Tucker S. C. (ed.). A Global Chronology of Conflict: From the Ancient World to the Modern Middle East. Santa-Barbara, ABC-CLIO Publ., 2009, vol. 3, 2777 p.

16. Anderson M. S. Britainʼs Discovery of Russia: 1553–1815. London, Macmillan Publ., 1958, 245 p.

17. De Lacy Evans G. On the Designs of Russia. London, John Murray Publ., 1828, 252 p.

18. De Lacy Evans G. On the Practicability of an Invasion of British India, and on the Commercial and Financial Prospects and Resources of The Empire. London, Cornhill Publ., 1829, 228 p.

19. Gleason J. H. Genesis of Russophobia. Cambridge, Harvard University Press Publ., 1950, 314 p.

20. Hopkirk P. The Great Game, On Secret Service in High Asia. London, John Murray Publ., 1991, 588 p.

21. Spiers E. M. Radical General: Sir George De Lacy Evans, 1787–1870. Manchester, Dover, N. H., Manchester University Press Publ., 1983, 278 p.

22. Fischer D. R. (ed.). The History of Parliament: The House of Commons 1820–1832. Cambridge, 2009, vol. 1, pp. 349–360.