1. Soviet Union & Commonwealth of Independent States, too

2. Migration to area now known as Kiev – Slavs from eastern Europe – Varangians from Scandinavia Conquered by Mongols- ”Golden Horde” – Taxed people heavily – Grand Prince served as tax collector Trade with east through Silk Roads Kievan Rus: 882-1237

3. Moscow becomes major city Grand Prince of Moscow Ivan III (the Great) becomes the 1st Czar and sole tax collector Eventually Moscow becomes so powerful, that it breaks away from Mongol influence Rise of Muscovy: 1350-1550

4. Ivan IV (the Terrible): 1533-1584 1st significant czar (tsar) of Russia Autocratic rule=one person has total power Major priority is to oust all foreigners from Russia Limited rights & led by fear and terror many wars Ivan killed his oldest son in a fit of rage ending his family’s reign as Czars.

5. Romanov Dynasty Begins

6. Peter I (the Great): 1689- 1725 Gained Power through Military Victories Educated in Europe Knowledge and insight of Western world Oppression of serfs is limited D. St. Petersburg becomes capital Started Russia’s first colleges in 1755

7. Catherine (the Great): 1762-1796 A German Princess Married Peter III but took total control when he was killed by his brother Educational reforms Adds southern section (steppe and desert) to Russian Empire “Enlightened despot”

8. Nicholas II: 1894-1917 Democratic revolution in 1905 failed Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 succeeded – Oppression Limited rights (change) Lack of $/corrupt gov’t. Lack of food End of WWI – Results Lenin new leader 1st Communist Karl Marx Last czar of Russia

11. Grigory Rasputin Rasputin is known as the Siberian mystic healer Czarina Alexandra had great faith in him Government officials wanted him killed because they thought he had too much influence over the Czarina Was a hard man to kill Left a curse on the Czar