Manchuria, the name given to China’s North-eastern provinces by foreign powers, has been contested by China, Russia and Japan in particular over many centuries. This book surveys the history of Manchuria, focusing particularly on the Russian and Soviet perspective. It outlines early colonisation of the region and examines the importance of the Chinese Eastern Railway, a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the remarkable railway city of Harbin for consolidating the Russian presence in the region and for developing the region’s economy. It goes on to consider twentieth century developments, including the Japanese invasion and the puppet state of Manchukuo. Throughout, the book reflects on the nature of empire, especially Russian/Soviet imperialism and its similarities to and differences from other nations’ imperial ventures.

The USA's contribution to the making of the USSR was accidental. In the belief that the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic could not survive, American statesmen strove to keep the former tsarist empire intact for a non-communist successor regime in the face of attempts by other powers to carve out spheres of influence in both European and Asiatic Russia. In this manner, they unwittingly facilitated the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. At the Washington Conference on the Limitation of Armament and on Pacific and Far Eastern Questions of 1921-1922, hosted by President Harding, the USA established predominance over Britain and its empire, France and Japan in a series of treaties limiting the size of the world's major navies and aiming at stability throughout the Pacific as well as on the Asiatic mainland. Meanwhile, 'uninvited Russia' was attempting to establish its hold on the former tsarist lands, partly through the stratagem of the Far East Republic used against Japanese intervention. In 1922, Soviet power was consolidated in the creation of the USSR. question' at the Washington Conference and throw light on the emergence of the 'Versailles-Washington' system of international relations.

World Order in History (1996) argues that historians' ideas about world order have been influential in transforming nations' sense of themselves, and it pursues these arguments with particular reference to Russia and the Soviet Union and the Western world.

Manchuria, the name given to China's North-eastern provinces by foreign powers, has been contested by China, Russia and Japan in particular over many centuries. This book surveys the history of Manchuria, focusing particularly on the Russian and Soviet perspective. It outlines early colonisation of the region and examines the importance of the Chinese Eastern Railway, a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the remarkable railway city of Harbin for consolidating the Russian presence in the region and for developing the region's economy. It goes on to consider twentieth century developments, including the Japanese invasion and the puppet state of Manchukuo. Throughout, the book reflects on the nature of empire, especially Russian/Soviet imperialism and its similarities to and differences from other nations' imperial ventures.

The USA's contribution to the making of the USSR was accidental. In the belief that the Russian Socialist Federative Soviet Republic could not survive, American statesmen strove to keep the former Tsarist empire intact for a non-communist successor regime in the face of attempts by other powers to carve out spheres of influence in both European and Asiatic Russia. In this manner, they unwittingly facilitated the formation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This book shows the importance of the 'Russian question' at the Washington Conference and throws light on the emergence of the 'Versailles-Washington' system of international relations.

Contents:
1. Inheritance: nations and empires, before 1898 2. Conception: the First World War and revolution, 1898-1921 3. Gestation: new world orders and the Second World War, 1921-45 4.Youth: Cold War and decolonisation, 1945-68 5. Maturity: Cold War and the Third World, 1968-91 6. The legacy: death or rebirth? 1991-

The Superpowers traces the development of the USA and Russia (later USSR) from 1898 through to 2000, placing the Cold War, from inception to ending, into the wider social, economic and political context. This is the first history of the two major participants and their relationship throughout the twentieth century.
The Superpowers: explores the intertwining history of the two powers chronologically and includes discussion of:
* the inheritance of the two great powers and their imperial background
* World War One and the Russian Revolution
* Capitalism and Socialism
* World War Two and its impact
* the conflicts in Berlin, Czechoslovakia, Vietnam and Afghanistan
* Perestroika and the end of the USSR
* the significance of the events of 1991 and their legacy.

Revised and expanded, the second edition of this fascinating study surveys the first two centuries of Romanov rule from the foundation of the dynasty by Michael Romanov in 1613 to the accession of Alexander I in 1801. The central theme of the book is the growth of absolutism in Russia throughout these years, and it traces in detail how the Russian variety of what was a contemporary European phenomenon came fully into being.

This is an English translation of important writings on the Thirty Years' War by the great Soviet historian B. F. Porshnev. Little is known of the Muscovite contribution to the conflict and Paul Dukes - arguably Britain's senior historian of ancien regime Russia - has selected the most valuable areas of Porshnev's unparalleled archival research to fill a crucial gap in the literature of the seventeenth century. In placing this work in the context of Porshnev's larger undertaking, Professor Dukes' substantial introduction assesses Porshnev's critics and evaluates his contribution to our understanding of the Thirty Years' War and of relations between Eastern and Western Europe at the time. A significant reinterpretation of a fascinating period, the book will interest both Russian specialists and those working more generally in seventeenth- century European history.

Russian Society in the eighteenth century was dominated by the nobility. This class made large contribution to secular culture and played a role of vital importance in the government, the armed forces and the economic life of Russia. Dr Dukes has based his study on the materials of Catherine the Great's Legislative Commission of 1767. Despite the existence it print since the late nineteenth century of a vast amount of source material in the form of records of this Commission, it has been little explored by western historians. The author begins with a description of noble society before the Commission and of the general situation in Russia before the beginning of Catherine's reign. He constructs a clear, analytical picture of the attitude of the nobility to the chief questions of the day.

The book examines the evolution of the predicament symbolised by the setting of the Doomsday Clock at a few minutes to midnight in the context of the Anthropocene Era from 1763, making special reference to the study of history throughout the period. It seeks to demonstrate the necessity for history as science, while pointing out the inadequacy of some previous approaches. It argues for a pandisciplinary approach to today's crisis.

This is the first English translation of important writings on the Thirty Years' War by the great Soviet historian B.F. Porshnev. Dukes has selected the most enlightening areas of Porshnev's unparalleled research to fill a crucial gap in our understanding of the conflict, and has set Porshnev's work firmly in context with a comprehensive introduction and evaluation. A significant reinterpretation of a fascinating period, the book will interest Russian specialists and those working generally around seventeenth century European history.

Revised and expanded, the second edition of this fascinating study surveys the first two centuries of Romanov rule from the foundation of the dynasty by Michael Romanov in 1613 to the accession of Alexander I in 1801. The central theme of the book is the growth of absolutism in Russia throughout these years, and it traces in detail how the Russian variety of what was a contemporary European phenomenon came fully into being.

T.J. Storm stars in the title role of this martial arts action feature. To obtain the necessary funds to release his father from prison, South African martial artist Sizwe Biko aka Black Cobra (Storm) smuggles stolen diamonds into the US to sell them on the black market. But when he is double-crossed by the Japanese mafia the Black Cobra is forced to use deadly methods to recover his stolen goods.

The book examines the evolution of the predicament symbolised by the setting of the Doomsday Clock at a few minutes to midnight in the context of the Anthropocene Era from 1763, making special reference to the study of history throughout the period. It seeks to demonstrate the necessity for history as science, while pointing out the inadequacy of some previous approaches. It argues for a pandisciplinary approach to today's crisis.

Great Men in the Second World War provides a new perspective on the role of the individual in history. Paul Dukes selects five Great Men, each in his turn one of the leaders of the three victorious powers, the UK, the USA and the USSR. The identity of the Big Three changed significantly during the last months of the conflict. Roosevelt died in April 1945 and was succeeded by Truman. Churchill lost the general election to Attlee in July. Stalin alone provided continuity throughout the conferences of the Big Three, and immediately beyond. The book explores the power of these individuals, asking such questions as: -To what extent did the leaders exert their own influence and to what extent could they be considered to be spokesmen for their countries? -How significant was it that Truman and Attlee had less colourful personalities than Roosevelt and Churchill? -Was Stalin uniquely bad while the others were good? Drawing in particular on the record of their interaction at the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, but also making use of other sources including novels as well as works of history, Paul Dukes sheds light on both the major statesmen involved and the nature of the Second World War. This is a book that will be useful for students of the Second World War and anyone with an interest in the role of individuals in history.

Great Men in the Second World War provides a new perspective on the role of the individual in history. Paul Dukes selects five Great Men, each in his turn one of the leaders of the three victorious powers, the UK, the USA and the USSR. The identity of the Big Three changed significantly during the last months of the conflict. Roosevelt died in April 1945 and was succeeded by Truman. Churchill lost the general election to Attlee in July. Stalin alone provided continuity throughout the conferences of the Big Three, and immediately beyond. The book explores the power of these individuals, asking such questions as: -To what extent did the leaders exert their own influence and to what extent could they be considered to be spokesmen for their countries? -How significant was it that Truman and Attlee had less colourful personalities than Roosevelt and Churchill? -Was Stalin uniquely bad while the others were good? Drawing in particular on the record of their interaction at the Tehran, Yalta and Potsdam Conferences, but also making use of other sources including novels as well as works of history, Paul Dukes sheds light on both the major statesmen involved and the nature of the Second World War. This is a book that will be useful for students of the Second World War and anyone with an interest in the role of individuals in history.

The Urals are best known as the boundary between Europe and Asia. "A History of the Urals" demonstrates the region's importance in its own right, as a crucible of Russia's defence industry in particular. In the first English-language book to explore the subject fully, Paul Dukes examines the region's contribution to the power of the state in tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet times, offering a refreshing antidote to Moscow-centric interpretations of Russian history. The book contextualises more recent periods with chapters on the earlier years of the Urals and covers the key environmental as well as economic, political and cultural themes.The book contains illustrations and maps, plus lists of books and websites, as aids to further research and understanding of the subject. "A History of the Urals" is an important book that provides new and valuable insights for all students of Russian history.

The Urals are best known as the boundary between Europe and Asia. "A History of the Urals" demonstrates the region's importance in its own right, as a crucible of Russia's defence industry in particular. In the first English-language book to explore the subject fully, Paul Dukes examines the region's contribution to the power of the state in tsarist, Soviet and post-Soviet times, offering a refreshing antidote to Moscow-centric interpretations of Russian history. The book contextualises more recent periods with chapters on the earlier years of the Urals and covers the key environmental as well as economic, political and cultural themes.The book contains illustrations and maps, plus lists of books and websites, as aids to further research and understanding of the subject. "A History of the Urals" is an important book that provides new and valuable insights for all students of Russian history.

This scarce antiquarian book is a selection from Kessinger Publishing's Legacy Reprint Series. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment to protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature. Kessinger Publishing is the place to find hundreds of thousands of rare and hard-to-find books with something of interest for everyone