History of Russia. Alexei Mikhailovich and His Immediate Successors. The Second Half of the 17th Century

In this volume, the outstanding Russian historian, vibrant publicist, educator, and social activist Dmitry Ivanovich Ilovaisky investigates the history of Russia in the second half of the 17th century - the era of Alexei Mikhailovich's reign, and brings the narrative up to the autocracy of Peter the Great. It was a time of dramatic events and tumultuous movements. The Ukrainian question, with its various twists and turns regarding Poland and Moscow, comes to the forefront. The annexation of Ukraine was costly for the Moscow state, especially due to the betrayals of thehetmans and the attractive force of Polish culture. Alongside the Ukrainian question, the author analyzes the internal church movement known as the schism, which began with the disputes between Patriarch Nikon and the tsar. Bohdan Khmelnytsky and Nikon - these two significant historical figures hold a prominent place in Russian history and stand directly behind its main representative, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich.  The book is equipped with extensive notes that contain quotes and references to documentary materials, including Russian chronicles, state decrees, letters, as well as historical studies by other authors.