American-Russian Cultural Exchange (1775-1815)

In addition to economic,political and diplomatic interactions,cultural exchanges between the two countries were also prominent in early relations between the United States and Russia,and in the 1850 s and 1860 s the advancement of Russian science,particularly in astronomy and Arctic science,was greatly influenced by Franklin’s scientific work.After the North American War of Independence,there were frequent exchanges and interactions between the academic communities of the United States and Russia;more travellers from both sides increased their knowledge and understanding of each other’s social and cultural spheres;and the initial exchanges between the two countries in the field of education,including the learning and exchange of languages,played an active role in promoting cultural communication.The American-Russian diplomatic relationship was established in 1809,and the exchange of cultures took on a new dimension and developed further.Dashkov’s tour of the United States and his commentary on the Second Anglo-American War drew more Russian attention to the United States,and the opening of artistic exchanges between the two countries had a positive impact on the understanding between American and Russian artists.On the one hand,the development of cultural exchanges between the two countries was influenced by the development of economic and diplomatic relations,and the closer economic and diplomatic relations facilitated the deepening of cultural exchanges;on the other hand,the early cultural exchanges between the United States and Russia were more of a private sector,and cultural exchanges and cooperation at the governmental and institutional levels between the two countries had not yet taken place.The cultural exchanges between the US and Russia during this period promoted mutual understanding and knowledge between the two countries’ populations,and to a certain extent promoted the development of science and technology in each country and laid the foundation for the overall development of political,economic and diplomatic relations between the two countries.