The Adventures and Misadventures of Expansion in Eastern and Central Europe

Abstract

This chapter covers the history of eastward expansion attempts by imperial Sweden and Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. It also covers the history of Russo-Turkic wars and expansionism by the Russian and Ottoman empires. The Crimean War between the Russian, Ottoman, Austro-Hungarian, British, and French empires receives special attention as this is a prime example of expansionism by the European empires in the dying days of the Ottomans. The chapter emphasises that one of the key motives of this conflict is to share the spoils of the disintegrating Ottoman Empire. In addition, this chapter examines the Napoleonic invasion of Russia and the broader Napoleonic wars. The defeat of Bonaparte initiated the concert of Europe, an important institution that preserved peace in the continent for almost a century. Finally, this chapter discusses the role of the Westphalian system in preserving peace under competing imperial interests.