A (Brief) History of Russia

Early Peoples

AD 600S: group called Slavs settled near water in North European Plain. Eventually split up West: Poland, Czech Republic & Slovakia South: Bulgaria, Croatia, Serbia & Slovenia East: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus

Loose union of city-states, known as Kievan Rus, organized by Varangians around 900s Ruled by princes Kiev, the leading city-state, controlled trading route and

used W. Russian rivers as a link between the Baltic & Black Seas

Weakened by fighting among city-states, ended by 1200s when conquered by a group called Mongols

Territories still had contact with western & central Europe

Rise of Russia Moscow became the center of a territory called Muscovy,

under Slavs Liknked by rivers to trade routes, surrounded by lands food for

farming and trapping fur-bearing animals Why important?

Known as “Muscovites”

Eventually able to drive Mongols out

Prince Ivan III “The Great” Brought Slav city-states together, expanded area known as

RUSSIA. Built huge fortress called The Kremlin

Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) Ivan III’s grandson Was Russia’s first crowned czar/tsar, or supreme ruler Why “terrible?

Foreign invasion, declining economy, social conflict + Romanov dynasty in power peasants becoming serfs, or virtual slaves of the nobility

The IvansIvan the Great

United Slav city-states into RUSSIA

Built the Kremlin

Ivan the Terrible

Crowned first czar of Russia, or supreme ruler

Lower classes became serfs, or virtual slaves, under his reign

The Kremlin in Moscow, built by Ivan the Great

Romanov Czars

West Europe doing great during Renaissance (15th c.) while Russia was struggling

Peter I—Peter the Great Russia enlarged territory, strong military, develop of trade in powerful

Europe Capital of St. Petersburg: access to Baltic Sea as “Window to the West”

Catherine the Great Expanded Russia further, gained warm-water port on Black Sea Other non-Russian countries under Russian rule Culturally: adoption of European ways (French as language)

cultural gap between nobility & serfs Serfs had to deal with poverty & heavy work, too.

Russian Revolution

Inspired by American & French Revolution

Catalysts: Serfs released in 1861, but they were uneducated working in

factories during Industrial Revolution Policy of Russification introduced: required everyone to speak

Russian, follow Eastern Orthodox Christianity Non-Russians had issues with this

creation of SOCIALISM, or a belief calling for greater economic quality in society

Karl Marx: German Philosopher Public ownership of all lands Classless society with equal sharing of wealth Prediction: Struggle between wealthy & working classes would lead

to worldwide revolution led by the working class and would end power of the wealthy

Notable Notables: Karl Marx

German Philosopher

Ideas: Public ownership of all lands Classless society in which

everyone would share wealth

Became the groundwork for COMMUNISM.

Brief Timeline of Russian Revolution

1905: Bloody Sunday Peaceful crowd of workers who were marching in front of the czar’s

palace in St. Petersburg were attacked by soldiers. Nearly 1,000 people killed

February/March Revolution:1917 WWI hardships more workers into the streets Demanded “bread and freedom” and joined by soldiers Caused Czar Nicholas to abdicate (leave) throne, ending rule of czars

in Russia, revolution ends

Results Czar Nicholas abdicates (leaves) throne, ending rule of czars in

Russia Established representative government

Bloody Sunday, 1905

Czar Nicholas abdicates his throne: February/March 1917

A Bunch of Bolshevik

Centralized government established after Russian Revolution = super weak

November 1917: Bolsheviks seize control Who they were: revolutionary group led by Lenin Believed in communism, or a philosophy based on Karl Marx’s

ideas that called for an overthrow of the government & society led by workers

Promise to the people: “Peace, land, and bread!” Withdrew Russia from WWI, much territory to Germany Took over industry, established eight-hour workday, reformed

army

Not supported by everyone civil war Bolshevik Red Army vs. Anti-Bolshevik White Army

Back in the USSR…

1921: Bolsheviks (now known as Communists) win Civil War against opponents

1922: Established Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) Moscow = capital

1924: Lenin dies; Joseph Stalin climbs to power Took control of farms & factories

millions killed or died as a result of hunger, physical harships, or brutal conditions in labor camps

Notable Notables: Joseph Stalin

Ruthless leader of the Soviet Union

Back in the USSR... (cont’d)

USSR as a superpower After WWII, USSR controlled much of Eastern Europe. By 1949,

many had become Soviet satellites, or countries controlled by the USSR East Germany (remember?!), Hungary, Poland helped

strengthen military and supplied natural resources

Cold War: 1950s-1990s USSR vs USA struggle between communist & capitalist economic systems for

world power and influence COULD have turned into a nuclear war, but conflict itself was

avoided BECAUSE of this reason. Instead, used propaganda against each other, threat of

force, economic aid SPACE RACE!!

Cold War Propaganda: USA

“School Closed”

Cold War Propaganda: USSR

“Thank you for a joyful childhood!”

The Break-Up

USSR Economy weakened during Cold War, everyone else gets stronger

1985: Mikhail Gorbachev begins two policies despite being a die-hard Communist Perestroika: policy of economic restructuring Glasnost: political “openness” designed to eliminate censorship in

the government

Several communist countries overthrow communist rulers in 1989 (Poland, Czechoslovakia) while others declare independence from Russia (Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia)

December 25, 1991: Gorbachev’s presidency ended, USSR over Boris Yeltsin was elected President of Russia

Notable Notables: Mikhail Gorbachev

Two policies: Glastnost—openness Perestroika—economic

restructuring

Russia under Yeltsin: Command Market economy Government control to control of the people Initially, caused lots of bad things:

Massive unemployment because outdated and inefficient factories closed and because agriculture was restructured

By 2000, economy DID improve (which was the point, of course) Ruble, the currency, began to strengthen and stabilize

Notable Notables: Boris Yeltsin

Credited with bringing down the Soviet Union

Economic policies eventually helped Russian economy bounce back after his term

Seen as inefficient, corrupt by Russian people

Eventually left office to deal with health problems & alcoholism—died in April 2007

1990s: ethnic territories wanted complete break from Moscow

Russian government vs. Chechnya 1991: Chechnya declares independence Fear of Russia’s break-up Yeltsin sending Russian troops in

Chechnya in 1994 Claimed to control much of the territory under Vladimir Putin,

who was Yeltsin’s successor, Chechens still fighting Result:

335,000 people displaced Food shortages Ravaged oil-based economy Also drained economic-development funds from Russia!

Russia Today Current president: Vladimir Putin

1st presidential term: 2000-2008 Prime Minister under Mendevev: 2008-2012 Re-elected president in 2012—will serve until at least

2016

Russia is a major industrial power, but factories & plants are outdated, inefficient, and in terrible condition

Less than 8% of the land is arable

Good grain production (North European Plain)

Economy is growing after hit in the late ’90s, but still has hurdles Organized crime, high levels of poverty, scarred

environment (years of neglect and no regulations) Also, high rates of alcoholism!