The Shift in Georgian Socio-Political Thought After the Rule of Viceroy Vorontsov

Abstract

The scientific article deals with the characteristics of Georgian public and political thinking in the first half of the 19th century and the influence of the rule of Viceroy Vorontsov (1844-1854) on it. It aims to present the public opinion of the Georgian people and the contrast between the work of the nobility as a public-political actor before and after Vorontsov's rule.

In 1801, the Russian Empire violated the international agreement, annexed Kartli-Kakheti, and abolished the monarchy. The unexpected event was followed by excitement in the royal house and part of the nobility. The empire did the same to other Georgian principalities. The new government's incompatibility with local needs led to people's rebellion. Permanent resistance lasted, in fact, throughout the century and reflected public problems. In this protest, together with the people's desire, the position of the nobility as the political head of the Georgian class society appeared, which underwent a change after the rule of Viceroy Vorontsov and distanced itself from public interests. In the first half of the 19th century, a significant part of the nobility was both the participant and organizer of protest. At the same time, he was a force capable of organizing a national struggle. The empire understood this well and saw the need to act with soft power aimed at the complete dismay of the aristocracy.

Therefore, the article discusses the historical processes that reveal the demands of the Georgian people in the research period, emphasizing the universal nature of these processes, the characteristics of public-political thinking, and the role of Crown Prince Vorontsov in its transformation. Based on this, a comparative analysis and conclusion are presented. The research is based on documentary material, scientific literature, and the press.