Od zachwytu do polityki. Jan Potocki i rosyjska ekspansja na Dalekim Wschodzie

Abstract

Jan Potocki (1761-1815) was one of the first people who looked at the eastern policy of Catherine II and saw an opportunity for his own theoretical ideas and practical solutions to come into existence. When in 1794 Odessa was being built, few people imagined that it would develop into such a major urban centre. The fact that Potocki was one of the owners of many parcels of this emerging city proves that he understood well the mechanisms of trade and politics. The traveller had a plan in that system, relating to the submission of Asia to Russia's political interests, which was to develop first through commercial contacts, then by field studies (language, religion, form of government) until the preparation of cartographic materials enabling military conquest of new lands. He also tried, however, to be at the forefront of that parade changing the cultural face of the east and south of Russia.