Issue 1 (90)
| MOSCOW FIRES OF 1748: AUTHORITIES AND THE CITY COMMUNITY | |||
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| Year | 2026 | Number | 1 (90) |
| Pages | 134-142 | Type | scientific article |
| UDC | 94(470-25)“1748“ | BBK | 63.3(2)51 |
| Authors | Vidnichuk Anastasiya O. |
Topic | HISTORICAL EPISODES |
| Summary | The article studies the situation that arose in the city community of Moscow because of a series of fires in the spring–summer of 1748. In contrast to other Moscow fires, the one in question has received virtually no coverage in historiography. However, in the fond of the Sysknoi Prikaz (Investigative Chancellery) a set of court cases was discovered, demonstrating that there was an atmosphere of suspicion and fear among Muscovites during those months. These previously unexplored cases form the basis of the study. The article aims to show how Muscovites took advantage of the circumstances to resolve conflicts within the community, as well as to get rid of outsiders. As the cases show, these were migrants, often foreigners, who were usually blamed for arson and theft from fires. ‘Praise words’ involving the fires in one way or another were also a valid reason for accusation. The author proposes to use the sociological term ‘moral panic’ as an explanatory model of the city dwellers’ behavior. In addition, the article explores the actions and reactions of the authorities to the dire situation in Moscow. A special commission under the leadership of Fyodor Ivanovich Ushakov was set up to search for ‘incendiaries’. The commission accepted and investigated all the petitions submitted by the citizens. On the one hand, it allowed the authorities to prevent lynching and direct the negative emotions of ordinary people in a controlled direction. On the other hand, by taking seriously every accusation, including those known to be groundless, the authorities fueled panic and stimulated baseless suspicions of Muscovites. | ||
| Keywords | Moscow, fires, 18th century, Investigative Chancellery, moral panic, arsons, city dwellers | ||
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