The empires of Europe were characterized by their ethnic pluralism and diverse geographical backgrounds. This pluralism was long held to be the reason for the eventual failure and disintegration of Europe. Unlike today, the empires of the time had a more lasting influence on the history of Europe than did the individual nation states. The contributions to this volume systematically compare four European empires of the 19th and early 20th centuries: the British Empire, the Habsburg Monarchy, Russia and the Ottoman Empire. Examples are given to show the tension that existed in the relationships between the central and the peripheral areas as well as between the rulers and those they ruled over. The infrastructure, political conflicts and war experiences are demonstrated in the everyday practice of monarchy and religion.