Examining the history of workers in Russia from the time of Peter the Great to the present, this book analyzes Russia's labour history in the global context of a modernizing world; it ensures that the history of workers in Russia can be understood in relation to that of the rest of Europe and beyond. Alice Pate explains the social and political forces that shaped workers lives and impacted upon the development of modern Russia and the Soviet Union, addressing major historical themes, such as urbanization, modernization, state and society, globalization as well as state formation, along the way.The History of the Russian Worker, which includes a useful glossary and end-of-chapter reading lists to aid further study, charts the rise of the working class in the early 18th century, its huge influence in the revolutionary movement of the late 19th century and its significant role in the shaping of events from the 20th century onwards. It also incorporates a range of primary sources and secondary literature as part of a rich investigation into the topic.This vital synthesis of Russian labour history is an important volume for anyone wanting to know more about Russia's evolution during the modern period and its place within the modern world.