This book expounds the Marxist-Leninist teaching on war and armies. It shows the nature of war and its origins, the various types of wars and the social nature and purpose of armies. Close attention in paid to such problem as military potential, the military power of states in modern conditions and the revolution in the military field. A detailed chronology of wars, armed uprisings and military conflicts since the end of the 19^th  Century is appended. The book has seen five editions in the USSR. Its authors are philosophers, historians and teachers at military educational establishments: