Russia A Brief History

The former head of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) From 1917 - 1991 Russia was a communist nation Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, Russia and many nations seek political, economic, and social reform Historically challenged the United States as one of the great superpowers – A.K.A. The Cold War Cuban Missile Crisis – Oct., 1962 13-day confrontation that nearly ended in nuclear war The former head of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)

Russia dates back to the 600’s C.E., Slavs settled near water systems Loosely organized alliance of city-states known as Kievan Rus, Kiev was the capital 1200’s C.E. Mongols begin invading Kievan Rus territory, allowed to self-rule but still under military control of Mongols 1600’s C.E. Peter I – The Great comes to power, focus on modernizing Russia, increased territory, built city of St. Petersburg A Brief History

Peter I – The Great Empress Catherine the Great

A Brief History continued Empress Catherine the Great – continues Russian expansion, longest ruling female leader of Russia, reign known as “Russia’s Golden Age” Romanov family comes to power, continues Russian expansion in Eastern Europe, brought many non-Russians under their control Begins program of Russification Czar Alexander II – limited reforms, mass migration from rural areas to cities Czar Alexander III – finally expand into Siberia, construction of Trans-Siberian Railroad completed in 1916 A Brief History continued

The Russian Revolution German philosophers Karl Marx & Friedrich Engels – founders of modern communism, co-author The Communist Manifesto 1848 2 Main Principles – public ownership of land and means of production, classless society with equal sharing of wealth During WWI, Russian factory workers staged many strikes to protest conditions and hardships, called for “bread and freedom” Revolution begins in 1917, Russia is forced out of WWI, Czar Nicholas and the Romanov family are murdered, end of Europe’s last absolute monarch Beginning of the Soviet Union (USSR or Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) The Russian Revolution

Rasputin

V. I. Lenin

Leon Trotsky

Joseph Stalin

End of WWII began the decades long conflict between the Soviet Union and Western nations known as “The Cold War” USSR & USA begin massive arms race Economic and political problems cripple the Soviet Union, force leaders to accept reform Mikhail Gorbachev institutes new policies of Perestroika and Glasnost – To little to late! By 1989 many satellite nations are beginning to move away from communism, 1991 sees the total collapse of the USSR! The Fall of Communism