Russia's Balkan Entanglements, 1806–1914

This book examines the reason for the Russian involvement in the Balkan peninsula.

Barbara Jelavich (Author)

9780521522502, Cambridge University Press

Paperback, published 11 March 2004

308 pages
22.9 x 15.2 x 1.9 cm, 0.474 kg

"Jelavich has produced a sweeping overview of Russia's involvement in the Balkans during the better part of a century. It is evidently the product of a long and productive career during which much has been gathered and digested over a number of years, a process that has resulted in yet another lucid account of Russian foreign relations in the nineteenth century....Certainly Jelavich, in a very readable volume, gives us plenty of food for thought for today's events as well as those of the past." Jonathan Haslam, Journal of Modern History

In the century between 1806 and 1914 tsarist Russia was drawn into five wars due to its deep involvement, based on treaty rights and established traditions, in Balkan affairs. This book examines the reason for the Russian involvement in the Balkan peninsula and attempts to explain at least partially the connection that drew the Russian government into entanglements that were not only dangerous to its great power interests, but were also difficult to control. The wars, waged at a high human and economic cost, limited the resources that could be spent on internal development and in particular when they ended in defeat, led to domestic unrest and after 1856 and 1917 to drastic internal change.

List of maps and illustrations
Preface
1. Rights and obligations acquired: the advance to the Black Sea, the Danubian Principalities, and the Serbian revolution
2. Rights and obligations defended and extended: the Greek revolution and the Russo-Turkish War, 1828–9
3. The defense of the status quo: the Crimean War
4. Balkan involvements continued: the Bulgarian question and the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–8
5. Final steps: the Belgrade link and the origins of World War I
Conclusion
Bibliography
Index.

Subject Areas: Modern history to 20th century: c 1700 to c 1900 [HBLL], European history [HBJD]