DISINFO: Europe’s Russophobia dates from 16th century
SUMMARY
Documented samples of Russophobia date back to the early 16th century. Polish and Lithuanian statesmen, historians and writers, as well as Jesuits, were spreading propaganda against the Russian state even then. The forms and methods of the struggle against Russia have been refined since then. Their essence is the same, which is the cultivation of hate for Russia and the Russian language.
RESPONSE
This is a recurring disinformation narrative from pro-Kremlin outlets accusing the West of pervasive Russophobia. Short of substantial arguments, the term has become an easy slogan which the Kremlin uses to reject any critism or opposing view. By pretendng a historical background, the Kremlin attempts to give creditbility to an ill-defined term by pretendng a historical root.
Political relations between the Russian state and the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth were strained and at times even hostile in past centuries. Rulers of both states were using quite explicit terms when speaking about each other to define their political relationship - as it was a common practice in those times. This had nothing to with a phobic feeling in the present-day understanding of this word.
On the contrary, throughout history, Europeans have been very interested in Russia, its arts, culture and developing relations. The Russian elite was well received across many European royal houses or governments. Business relations have developed during centuries.
Some Western historians were highly critical of Russia, but their works are now regarded as historic documents without a trace of Russophobia. For example, the authors of a series of books titled Histoire Moderne (Modern History) that were published in Paris in the second half of the 18th century described Russia’s rulers as tyrants and its judicial system as cruel. This was in line with the thinking of Karl Marx and others.
There was nothing Russophobic in these words because such definitions were in line with contemporary descriptions in Russian chronicles. At the same time, these historians described the Ukrainian Cossacks as bandits, which was not an anti-Ukrainian attitude as it was probably their general impression about this nation in those times and under those circumstances.
The Jesuits were not Russophobic either. This order was suppressed in many parts of Europe in the 18th century. Russian Tsar Alexander I expelled them from Russia in 1820 for religious reasons, which had nothing to do with their alleged Russophobia.
Some famous Russian writers were very critical of certain European nations (for example, Fyodor Dostoyevsky known for his anti-Polish sentiment), but present-day Europeans do not accuse them of being prejudiced and value their books.
Read more disinformation narratives about alleged Russophobia.