In this article, the author, using a civilizational approach, reveals a new factor that plays a significant role in the history of Russia, determining its historical development starting from the beginning of the XVIII century. This factor, the author conditionally calls “the inferiority complex” of Russia in relation to the West. The article considers the genesis of this factor, as well as how it manifested itself in the most significant events in Russian history. According to the author of the article “the inferiority complex” of Russia in relation to the West appeared at the time of “acquaintance” of Russia with the West. This “acquaintance” occurred during the reign of Peter I and included two key aspects. The first aspect implies an active exploration of Western life by the Russian political elite. In Russian historiography this phenomenon has been called “the great Embassy of Peter I”. The second aspect concerns the adoption of Western military, industrial, political and cultural practices in the Russian socio-economic and political-cultural reality. In the end, the “acquaintance” with the West led to Russia overcoming its military-technical backwardness, which played a decisive role in its victory over Swedish Empire in the Great Northern War. However, this“acquaintance” gave rise to the stubborn conviction that Russia should look abroad, particularly to the West, to find answers to all domestic problems.
