Russia and the Russians: a history

Introduction: Geopolitics, ecology, and national character

I. Pre-imperial Rus and the beginnings of empire. Kievan Rus, the Mongols, and the rise of Muscovy ; Ivan IV and the expansion of Muscovy

II. The troubled building of empire. The turbulent seventeenth century ; Peter the Great and Europeanization

III. Russia as European empire. State and society in the eighteenth century ; The reigns of Paul, Alexander I, and Nicholas I

IV. Imperial crisis. Alexander II's uncertain reforms ; The rise of nationalism

V. Revolution and utopia. Social change and revolution ; War and revolution ; Social transformation and terror ; Soviet society takes shape

VI. The decline and fall of utopia. Recovery and Cold War ; Soviet society under "developed socialism" ; From Perestroika to Russian Federation

Chronology.