The heyday of the European states system was in the century before the First World War. How the system of five great powers in conscious equilibrium came into being is the central theme of this book.

Derek McKay is Senior Lecturer in International History at the London School of Economics.

H.M. Scott is Senior Lecturer in Modern History at the University of St. Andrews.

Lists of maps Preface 1. The rise of France. 1648-88 2. The rise of Britain, 1688-1714 3. The emergence of Austria and Russia, 1660-1721 4. British diplomatic ascendancy and the entente 1714-1731 5. The recovery of France 1731-1739 6. A new pattern 1739-1763 7. Diplomacy and the European states system 8. Partition diplomacy in eastern Europe 1763-1795 9. Anglo-Bourbon relations in Europe and overseas 1763-1790 10. Europe and the French revolution 1789-1802 11. Napoleon and Europe 1802-1815 12. The great powers Bibliography Maps Index