The article attempts to trace the historical formation of the image of Russia in the eyes of European society. The particularly severe “Russian question” manifested in France in the historically eventful XIX century. The examples of socio-political texts, publicism, historical essays of that period explore public moods and features of the international political situation. The Russian-French relations in the XIX century were quite difficult, with periods of peaceful interaction followed by periods of political tension. The European perception of Russia inevitably depended on these processes. Consolidation in the Europeans’ mass consciousness the image of Russia as a «barbaric» country led to the emergence of the phenomenon of Russophobia. The article examines the origins and development of stereotypes and clichйs in the way Russia and the Russian people were evaluation. It is stated that they were formed almost two centuries ago, but still exist today.

History of socio-political doctrines, public opinion, “the Russian question”, France XIX century, Russophobia

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