The Imperiia Project: a spatial history of the Russian EmpireMain MenuProjectsDashboardsData CatalogMapStoriesGalleriesGamesWho said history was boring?Teach Our ContentCiting the ProjectKelly O'Neilldc20b45f1d74122ba0d654d19961d826c5a557f5The Imperiia Project // Davis Center for Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University
Reading maps - really reading maps - is never easy. But it is always rewarding. And we believe that it should be fun.
Each of the "skill builders" in this section is a ready-made map lesson. You can dive right in or, if you are a teacher, adapt one (or more) for your own purposes.
What you do not need is knowledge of Russian history. Our goal with these resources is to share something about how maps work as graphic devices, why they are important as historical sources, and how they can change the way we think about the world, both past and present. We try to define terms that might be unfamiliar, but we keep these definitions quite minimal. If you would like to make a deeper dive into the Russian past, we happily provide that experience in other parts of the Imperiia Project. We are always looking for feedback and ideas. Please feel free to contact us at imperiia@fas.harvard.edu and follow us on Twitter @ImperiiaProject.
Our content isn't just a bunch of (arguably) pretty pictures. Our maps, galleries, games, and stories are designed to be used - in your research or in your classroom.
We want you to engage. Click. Zoom. Canvas Empire is not a textbook. It doesn't tell the story of the Russian Empire from beginning to end. Instead, it offers countless portals into that world. We want you to come to us when you are feeling curious or looking for something to pursue - when what you need is a solid research question.
This section contains ready-made assignments. You can dive right in or adapt them for your own purposes.
Do you (or your students) need to know Russian history? For the most part, no. The main goal here is to share something about how maps work as graphic devices, why they are important as historical sources, and how they can change the way we think about the world, both past and present.
