Beginning with a geographic overview of Eastern Europe; Professor Liulevicius introduces the key themes of Eastern Europe's diversity, the region's shifting borders and its separateness from and connections with the West.

Examining the waves of people who settle Eastern Europe during the ancient and medieval worlds; ethnic groups create a diversity of language and culture; the mix of Christians, Jews and Muslims lead to the region's first political strife.

A look at several decisive battles; how these battles are transformed into legends; why they are key turning points for the region's political landscape; the creation of a united Poland-Lithuania; the rise of empires in Prussia, Austria and Russia.

The dissolution of the combined nation of Poland and Lithuania; civil strife provides the pretext for neighboring empires to annex the nation; the results of this partition; the political problem that plagues the region for the next century.

The age of Romanticism, when poets surpass politicians in setting agendas; the distinction between civil and ethnic nationalism; the 19th-century revolutions that sweep across the region; how defeat in these revolutions pave the way for empires.

Conservative politicians co-opt nationalism in support of empire-building; the stirrings of nationalism within the Russian, German and Austrian empires; emerging political ideologies that lay the foundation for the world wars of the 20th century.