A. Zahorodnia, Master's Student

Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17721/1728-2640.2020.147.3

GEORGE KENNAN AND THE RUSSIAN-AMERICAN TELEGRAPH EXPEDITION

The article aims to analyze the participation of George Kennan, a prominent U.S. expert on Russian affairs, in the Western Union telegraph expedition and explain in what way it shaped his outlook on the Russian Empire. The research pays special attention to the factors that led to the development of Kennan’s affectionate feelings towards Russia and the impact they made on his views. The explorer’s travelogue “Tent Life in Siberia”, which serves as the main primary source for this research, shows that after the first journey Kennan showed very little awareness of the tsarist’s repressive policy and therefore created a positive public image of Russia in the U.S.

Keywords: George Kennan, Western Union telegraph expedition, U.S.-Russia relations, Siberia, Siberian exile system.

Received by the editorial board: 14.12.20

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