This book, originally published in 1952, describes and explains the stage of the decline of the Russian Empire between the Crimean and First World Wars. The book is divided up by period: the reign of Alexander II (1855-81), the period of reaction (1881-1905) and the ‘Revolution’ of 1905 and its aftermath (1905-14) and also into three sections: the structure of state and society, political movements and foreign relations.
Part 1: The Tsar Liberator 1855-1881 1. The Background 2. From Reform to Assassination 3. Foreign Relations Part 2: Reaction 4. Economic Development 5. Political Development 6. Foreign Relations Part 3: The Last Chances 1905-1914 7. The Days of Liberty 8. Reaction and Consolidation 9. The Coming of the War