Bulletin of Nizhnevartovsk State UniversityBulletin of Nizhnevartovsk State University2311-14022686-8784Nizhnevartovsk State University49506Research ArticleRUSSOPHOBIA IN LORD PALMERSTON’S POLITICAL ACTIVITIESZholudovM. V.Candidate of Historical Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of Universal History and International Relations-Ryazan State University named after S. A. Yesenin15062017210010705112020Copyright © 2017, Zholudov M.V.2017The article discusses Russian-British rivalry for dominance in the Balkans and in the Middle East region jyst before the Crimean War (1853-1856). The purpose of the paper is to show that Britain's entry into the war on the side of the Ottoman Empire was primarily dictated by the geopolitical interests of the British commerce and industry. The article stresses the role of one of the most prominent statesmen, Lord Palmerston in shaping British anti-Russian policy in «Eastern question». In the Russian historiography was generally considered diplomatic activity of the Lord directly during the Crimean War. The article deals with the initial period of his career and the formation of Palmerston’s views on «the Eastern question» (1830-1840-s). Sources of studies are unpublished material of the Archive of foreign policy of the Russian Empire, published reports on the debates of the British Parliament, speeches of a diplomat, diplomatic correspondence, the British press materials. Analysis of the sources of the author's work led to the following conclusions. Firstly, Lord Palmerston had a considerable personal influence on the foreign policy of Great Britain in the «Eastern question» in the 1830-1850-s. Thanks to his efforts, the country entered into the Crimean War on the side of the Ottoman Empire, which was one of the main reasons for the defeat of Russia in the war. Secondly, the basis of the anti-Russian foreign policy doctrine of Palmerston formed back in the 1830-s., when he served as Foreign Minister of Great Britain. Lord saw the intransigence of the Anglo-Russian geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East region, defended the interests of trade and industry of Great Britain. Thirdly, Palmerston has used new methods of diplomatic work, such as reliance on public opinion of the country and the extensive use of the media as a powerful tool to implement its foreign policy. It took personal part in the organization of anti-Russian campaign in the run-up to and during the Crimean War. It can be considered one of the pioneers of information wars in the history of world politics. Fourthly, Palmerston has actively opposed the intervention of the monarch in the process of formation of the foreign policy of Great Britain. He pursued an independent foreign policy. In those years, when the Lord was Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Crown was almost completely excluded from participation in the external affairs of the country.History of RussiaLord PalmerstonEastern Question19 centurythe Crimean Warистория Великобританииистория Россиилорд Пальмерстон«Восточный вопрос»XIX векКрымская война[Times. 1830. Vol. 14. 22 Nov.][Архив внешней политики Российской империи (АВПРИ). Ф. Канцелярия. Оп. 469. Д. 139. Л. 347.][Асташова А. Н., Кирюхин Л. Н. 2011. Генри Джон Темпль третий виконт Пальмерстон. Воронеж: ИПЦ «Научная книга».][Виноградов В. Н. 2006. Лорд Пальмерстон в европейской дипломатии // ННИ 5, 182-209.][Виноградов К. Б., Сергеев В. В. 1990. Лорд Пальмерстон. Жизнь и политическая деятельность // ННИ 4, 154-176.][Герцен А. И. 1958. Былое и думы. Ч. 6 // Сочинения. Т. 6. Москва: ГИХЛ.][Мартенс Ф. Ф. 1895. Собрание трактатов и конвенций, заключенных Россией с иностранными державами. Т. 11. Трактаты с Англией. 1801-1831. Санкт-Петербург: Типография Министерства Путей Сообщения (А. Бенке).][Международные отношения на Балканах. 1830-1856. 1990. Москва: Наука.][Billy G. J. 1993. Palmerston’s Foreign Policy, 1848. New York: Peter Lang Publishing Inc.][Hansard’s Parliamentary Debates 1830. 3rd series. Vol. 1. London: Hansard.][Hayes P. 1975. The Nineteenth Century 1814-1880. New York: Madison House.][Judd D. 2015. Palmerston. London: I. B. Tauris.][Opinions and Policy of the right honourable viscount Palmerston1852. London: Colburn and Co.][Partridge M., Partridge K. 1994. Lord Palmerston, 1784-1865: A Bibliography. Westport (Conn.): Greenwood Press.]