The Military History of the Russian Empire from Peter the Great - until Nicholas

This book examines the rise and the fall of the Russian Empire through the lens of its military history. While much of the literature on this history tends to focus on epochs, The Russian Military and the Creation of Empire uses a variety of archival sources to capture this aspect of modern Russia from Peter the Great right up to the present day. John W. Steinberg analyzes the social dynamic between Russian society and its military over time. Through a focus on civil-military relations, he demonstrates that both the Tsarist and Soviet regimes were built on, and ultimately dependent upon, the support of the military. Case studies of significant battles are also used throughout the volume to reveal insights into the roles, missions, and capabilities of the Russian military since 1689. The Russian Military and the Creation of Empire is a vital study for all students of modern Russia and the history of modern warfare.

List of contents

List of Maps
Introduction
1. Russia's Emergence in World Affairs (1689-1725)
2. Romanovs, Aristocrats, and the Creation of the Russian Empire (1725-1796)
3. The Defeat of Napoleon and the Apex of Empire (1796-1853)
4. From Defeat to Defeat; From Reform to Reform (1853-1918)
5. Russian Power Restored (1918-1953)
6. Soviet Imperium (1953-1991)
Epilogue: Russian Power since 1991 and Future Considerations
Bibliography
Index

About the author

John W. Steinberg is Professor of History Austin Peay State University, USA. He is the author of All the Tsar's Men: Russia's General Staff and the Fate of the Empire, 1898–1914 (2010) and the co-editor, along with Rex A. Wade, of The Making of Russian History: Society, Culture, and the Politics of Modern Russia (2009). He is also co-series editor, with Tony Heywood and David M. McDonlad, of the international research project 'Russia's Great War & Revolution'.

Product details

• Authors: John W Steinberg, John W. Steinberg
• Publisher: Bloomsbury Academic
• Languages: English
• Product format: Paperback / Softback
• Released: 21.08.2025
• EAN: 9781350451476
• ISBN: 978-1-350-45147-6
• No. of pages: 342
• Dimensions: 154 mm x 232 mm x 22 mm
• Series: The Bloomsbury History of Modern Russia Series
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Regional and national histories; Non-fiction book > History > Miscellaneous; Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900, Russia, European History, HISTORY / Modern / General, HISTORY / Military / General, military history, 20th century history: c 1900 to c 2000, 20th century, c 1900 to c 1999, Modern warfare, Russian tsarist empire, HISTORY / Russia / General, Russian Empire / Tsardom of Russia