BOOK NOTES
Collection of essays examines history of Russian imperialism
"Russian Imperialism from Ivan the Great to the Revolution," edited by Taras Hunczak. Lanham, Md.: University Press of America, July 2000, 408 pp., $44.50 (cloth).
"Russian Imperialism From Ivan the Great to the Revolution" is a collection of essays assembled by editor Taras Hunczak, professor of history and political science at Rutgers University. This volume, according to Prof. Hunczak, provides "the first comprehensive history of Russian imperialism."
At its height, the scope of Russian imperialism was staggering. Whereas in 1462, Russia occupied only 15,000 square miles, it controlled 8,660,000 square miles, over one-seventh of the Earth's land, by 1914. That period of incredible expansion has inspired many books and essays, but Prof. Hunczak contends that most mistakenly treat the Russian empire as a continuous ethnic entity, rather than an amalgamation of distinct nationalities. Recognition of the truly multinational nature of the Russian empire is essential, holds Prof. Hunczak, for a clear understanding of the social and political dynamics of Russian imperialism.
With this in mind, the first half of Prof. Hunczak's book examines the origins of Russian imperialism through careful consideration of the motivations and beginnings of the relentless drive toward expansion. The second half features a historical treatment of the sequence of conquests by which the Russian empire was extended into the Balkans, the Caucasus, Siberia and Ukraine, to name only a few of the areas that fell to the growing colossus. All told, this compilation of essays traces Russian imperialism from the twilight of the Mongol empire to the inception of the Bolshevik Revolution.
The book provides a factual basis for interpretation not only of the past, but also of today's world. The in-depth analysis of Russian expansion serves as a possible foundation for an objective evaluation of many modern conflicts, including the ongoing struggle between Russia and Chechnya. The issues at the heart of the Chechen dispute originated centuries ago, and the preliminary tools needed to comprehend such complicated international phenomena can be found in "Russian Imperialism from Ivan the Great to the Revolution."
Copyright © The Ukrainian Weekly, September 10, 2000, No. 37, Vol. LXVIII
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