Московские пожары 1748 года: власть и городское сообщество

Уральский исторический вестник. 2026. № 1(90). С. 134–142.

Vidnichuk A.

The article studies the situation that arose in the urban community of Moscow as a result of a series of fires in the spring-summer of 1748. In contrast to other Moscow fires, the one in question has received virtually no coverage in historiography. However, in the fonds of the Sysknoi Prikaz (Investigative Chancellery) a set of court cases was discovered, demonstrating that an atmosphere of suspicion and fear had developed among Muscovites during those months. It is these previously unexplored cases that form the basis of this study. The aim of the article is to show how Muscovites took advantage of the circumstances to resolve conflicts within the community, as well as to get rid of outsiders. As the cases show, it was migrants, often foreigners, who were usually blamed for arson and theft from fires. ‘Praise words’ involving the fires in one way or another were also a valid reason for accusation. The author proposes to use the sociological term ‘moral panic’ as an explanatory model of the citizens' behaviour. In addition, the article explores the actions and reaction of the authorities to the distress in Moscow. A special commission under the leadership of Fyodor Ivanovich Ushakov was set up to search for ‘incendiaries’. The commission accepted and investigated all the petitions submitted by the citizens. On the one hand, it allowed the authorities to prevent lynchings and direct the negative emotions of ordinary people in a controlled direction. On the other hand, by taking seriously every accusation, including those known to be groundless, the authorities fuelled panic and stimulated groundless suspicions of Muscovites.

Keywords: Москва, XVIII век, Moscow, Сыскной приказ, fires, моральная паника, citizens, горожане, 18th century, moral panic, Investigative Chancellery, arsons, пожары, поджоги

Publication based on the results of: Интерактивная карта «Москва в середине XVIII века» (2025)