Category Archives: The Romanovs and Imperial Russia

January-February 2024 Online Course: The Romanovs and the Russian Revolution

by CarolynHarris | 2 Comments

In January-February 2024, I will be teaching my popular online course about The Romanovs and the Russian Revolution at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

Click here for more information and to register.

ABOUT THIS COURSE

The consequences of the Russian Revolution continue to influence Russia’s politics and society, and indeed the whole world’s. In 2017, Russia quietly marked the 100th anniversary of the turning points: the abdication of Czar Nicholas II and Lenin’s seizure of power for the Bolshevik party.  Follow the quick succession of crises: the collapse of the Romanov dynasty, the end of Russia’s participation in the First World War, the emergence of the Provisional Government, and the fateful rise of Lenin and the Soviet Union.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  •        Explore the vanished world of the Romanov dynasty, which ruled Russia for 300 years.
  •        Learn about the swift events in Russia in 1917.
  •        Discuss the key figures and moments in the Russian Revolutions.
  •        Explore how the Russian Revolutions were perceived around the world.
  •        Analyze the impact of the Russian Revolutions on the modern world

Click here for more information and to register.

University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Lecture: Royalty and Popular Culture: Fact, Fiction and the Crown

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I will be delivering a lecture on Royalty and Popular Culture: Fact, Fiction and the Crown, examining portrayals of the monarchy in historical films, plays and novels as part of the University Lecture series at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. I will be speaking in Oakville on October 2, Markham on October 5 and Toronto on November 3.

Click here for more information about the University Lecture Series in Oakville, Markham and Toronto in Fall 2023

Fall 2022 Course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Women in Power

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My course about the history of Women in Power from the Classical World to the 21st Century will be offered in class at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies on Tuesday afternoons in Fall 2022 from October 11 to November 29.

Click here for more information and to register

ABOUT THIS COURSE

Powerful women have presented themselves as warrior queens, rulers by divine right, wives and mothers and, most recently, as elected officials. We’ll examine the most significant female political figures in history, including Boadicea, Queen Isabella, Queen Elizabeth I, Indira Gandhi, Margaret Thatcher and Hillary Clinton. Through lively lectures and discussions, you’ll learn the story of women in political life. Why are women still underrepresented in political life? Join Carolyn Harris for a fascinating look at the often-neglected place of women in power from Cleopatra to Angela Merkel.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Survey changing attitudes toward women and political power throughout history.
  • Explore how female leaders have presented themselves to the public.
  • Understand how powerful women are portrayed in popular culture and the media.
  • Compare the experiences of female leaders around the world.
  • See how the history of women in power influences female political leadership today.

Click here for more information and to register

Smithsonian Magazine Interview: Before Lincoln Issued the Emancipation Proclamation, This Russian Czar Freed 20 Million Serfs

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I discussed the reign of Czar Alexander II and the Abolition of Serfdom in Russia with Fred Frommer at Smithsonian Magazine.

Click here to read “Before Lincoln Issued the Emancipation Proclamation, This Russian Czar Freed 20 Million Serfs” in Smithsonian Magazine

New University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Curiosity Blog Article: 4 Powerful Women in History You’ve Never Heard Of

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My blog post on the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Curiosity blog is about powerful women in history who are lesser known today. I will be teaching a Fall 2022 course about the history of Women in Power at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies.

Click here to read “4 Powerful Women in History You’ve Never Heard Of” on the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies Curiosity blog.

May-June 2022 Online Course at the University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies: Peter the Great & the Building of Saint Petersburg

by CarolynHarris | Leave a comment

ABOUT THIS COURSE

When Peter became czar in 1682, Europe was foreign to Russia, an insular and tradition-bound nation.  The West fascinated Peter, and he was determined to transform Russia into a great European power. Discover the traditional Russia of Peter’s childhood, his Grand Tour of Europe and his subsequent dream of building St. Petersburg, a new city to match his vision of the country. With images of the city and accounts of his cruel drive to create it, we’ll see how the city emerged as a symbol of his power and of Russia’s hopes. 

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Explore the rise of Russia as a world power in the 18th century.
  • Understand the impact of Peter the Great on Russia’s past and present.
  • Follow the founding of St. Petersburg as the capital of Imperial Russia.
  • Examine the role of St. Petersburg in Russia’s relationship with the West.
  • Appreciate its influence on Russian culture and society.

Click here for more information and to register

New Book Review in H-Russia: Harris on Bushkovitch, ‘Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725’

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I reviewed the new book Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725 by Paul Bushkovitch for H-Russia

Click here to read Harris on Bushkovitch, ‘Succession to the Throne in Early Modern Russia: The Transfer of Power 1450-1725’ at H-Russia

New Canadian Encyclopedia Article: Joseph Whiteside Boyle

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My latest article in the Historica Canada Canadian Encyclopedia is about Joseph Whiteside Boyle.

Nicknamed Klondike Joe, Boyle founded a gold mining company and became a millionaire in the aftermath of the Klondike gold rush. During the First World War, he equipped a machine gun unit and was a spy with the British secret service in Russia and Romania. He also reorganized the Russian military supply network, rescued Romanian prisoners of war and became the confidant and possibly lover of Queen Marie of Romania.

Click here to read my article about Joseph Whiteside Boyle in the Canadian Encyclopedia

New Reader’s Digest Article: The 10 Most Controversial Royal Memoirs Ever Published

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Prince Harry won’t be the first royal family member to rock the boat with a tell-all autobiography. Here are 10 royal memoirs that changed the way we think about these famous families—and history itself.

Click here to read The 10 Most Controversial Royal Memoirs Ever Published in Reader’s Digest