Grand duke Vladimir and January 9 (22), 1905.

Abstract

Aim. The paper analyses two interviews by Grand Duke Vladimir to the American newspapers at January 1905.

Methodology. The article considers the media campaign against the Grand Duke Vladimir which was a part of media war waged mostly by the British newspapers during the Russo-Japanese war. Two interviews of grand Duke Vladimir to the American papers were an attempt by Russian government to convey the official Russian position on the events of January 1905 to the American public. The article considers the reviews and comments by British and Russian media.

Results. British newspapers made Grand Duke Vladimir the scapegoat of tragic events of January 9 (22) in Petersburg. His interviews were an important component of the official reaction to these events. Thus, Russian government demonstrated to the international and domestic audience that it remains in full control and can rely on loyalty of the army. The event of January 9 (22) was explained as a socialist riot suppressed by action of the military. Bystanders were seen as innocent collateral victims of the events. Vladimir finger pointed to the defamation campaign of western, mostly British, papers. Opinion of the Grand Duke Vladimir was similar to the published views of other contemporaries. Measures to maintain law and order were important for the further development in the imperial capital.

Research implications. This analysis helps to establish a more complex and balanced view of the events of January 1905 in Petersburg. Lessons of the January riot were learned by both the government and the revolutionaries.