This volume deals with the rise of Russia, the partitions of Poland and the decline of the Ottoman Empire, between 1725 and 1800. The domestic and foreign policies of each power are covered, with particular attention paid to the partitions of Poland and the southward expansion of Russia at the expense of the Ottoman Empire. Social, economic and diplomatic issues are discussed in the light of primary source material and attention is drawn to the conflicting views among historians. Other books in this series include The Unification of Germany, The Unification of Italy and The Ottoman Empire.