Dialogue on the book by Jürgen Osterhammel “Transformation of the World. History of the 19th Century”

Abstract

The discussion is timed to coincide with the release of the Russian translation of the famous book by the German historian J. Osterhammel, “Transformation of the World. History of the 19th Century”. The discussion was attended by historians representing various scientific and scientific-educational centers and specializing in the study of the history of the Russian Empire. The aim of the discussion was not only to attract the attention of the Russian-speaking reader to the work of J. Osterhammel, but also to demonstrate the significance of many concepts and theses of “Transformation of the World” in relation to Russian history. Participants discuss various is- sues, among which the following can be high- lighted: the relationship between the imperial and the national, the significance of reforms and revolutions in the history of the 19th century, and the specifics of governing a diverse imperial space. The discussion offered to the attention of the interested reader is the first at- tempt to understand the outstanding research of J. Osterhammel in the format of an academic dialogue on the pages of a scientific journal.