Russian Imperialism, 1914-2014: Annexationist, Adventurist, or Anxious?

Abstract

This essay describes the modes of imperial action deployed during the July Crisis of 1914. It begins with an assessment of recent works on Russia's role in the outbreak of the war before more closely considering the question of why and how Russia mobilized in late July. The essay concludes with some thoughts regarding Russia's military and diplomatic assault upon Ukraine in 2014 and how the study of events a century ago may help us understand contemporary events more clearly.