Russia in Manchuria A Problem of Empire

Manchuria, the name given to China’s North-eastern provinces by foreign powers, has been contested by China, Russia and Japan in particular over many centuries. This book surveys the history of Manchuria, focusing particularly on the Russian and Soviet perspective. It outlines early colonisation of the region and examines the importance of the Chinese Eastern Railway, a branch of the Trans-Siberian Railway, and the remarkable railway city of Harbin for consolidating the Russian presence in the region and for developing the region’s economy. It goes on to consider twentieth century developments, including the Japanese invasion and the puppet state of Manchukuo. Throughout, the book reflects on the nature of empire, especially Russian/Soviet imperialism and its similarities to and differences from other nations’ imperial ventures.

1. INTRODUCTION TO MANCHURIA: EARLY EMPIRE 2. EMPIRE BEFORE THE RAILWAY, 1689-1892 3. THE ARRIVAL OF THE RAILWAY AND CONFLICT WITH JAPAN, 1892-1906 4. TO THE FIRST WORLD WAR AND RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, 1906-1918 5. SOVIET RUSSIA, IMPERIAL JAPAN AND THE USA: HARBIN, 1918-1929 6. CONFLICT WITH CHINA: MANCHUKUO AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR, 1929-1945 7. SOVIET INVASION, THE CHINESE REVOLUTION AND THE KOREAN WAR, 1945-1956 8. EMPIRE AND AFTER: MANCHURIA PAST, PRESENT, FUTURE

Paul Dukes was Emeritus Professor of Russian History at the University of Aberdeen.