LEARNING FROM FOREIGN WARS

Russian military thinking, 1859-1873. This study examines how the Russian army interpreted, and what lessons it learned from, wars in Europe between 1859 and 1871, and the American Civil War. This was a time marked by rapid change - political, social, economic and technological. By raising the question of learning from foreign wars the book attempts to fill a gap in the historiography of the Russian army. The army was one of the pillars on which the Russian regime built its power, and it was crucial for the survival of the regime both in domestic and foreign affairs. The reactions and thinking of the military at a time of rapid change therefore, tells a lot about the regime's ability o adjust, develop and ultimately survive. Furthermoure, the influence of foreign wars on Russian strategic war planning is analysed with the use of the first Russian war plan of 1873 and the proceedings from the strategic conference, chaired by Alexander II, in 1873. The influence of foreign wars on the General Staff officer education is also investigated. Gudrun Persson's text is largely based on extensive research in Russian archives. Special attention is given to the military attaches. Russian military attaché reports from the European Great Powers 1859-1871 and the observer reports from different wars are also examined. In addition, extensive use has been made of the military press and contemporary military literature with regard to the conflicts observed.