Emergence of Russia

Modern Russia Begin in the 800’s Slavic people living in eastern Europe encountered Norsemen (Vikings) sailed along the rivers Tired of fighting, the let the Vikings establish a state

Russian rulers centered in Kiev Adopted Christianity

Czarist Russia Mongol warriors from Asia overran the Kievan state in 1237 Mongol forces (Tatars and Golden Horde) ruled the region for 150 years Late 1300 Russian princes started fighting back against the Mongols

Expansion After getting rid of the Mongols there was 300 years of expansion. –No one stood up to the Russians –Few natural barriers Czar – from “Caesar” - Monarch

Peter the Great Late 1600’s and early 1700’s Expanded to the Pacific in the East Expanded to the Baltic in the West Built new capital: St. Petersburg.

Catherine the Great Extended control even farther to the west Gained control of part of Poland, Belarus and Ukraine

Napoleon Napoleon led an invasion with 600,000 soldiers Captured Moscow – but the citizens set the city on fire so the French couldn’t have it Bitterly cold weather and distance from supplies forced Napoleon to make a long retreat. Of the 100,000 who left Moscow – only 30,00 returned to France!

In the 1800’s Czars gained control of Finland, part of the Black sea, and far eastern Siberia Annexed homelands of more than 100 different ethnic groups

Social Structure Huge size made modernization difficult: remnants of feudalism remained throughout the 1800’s. (Serfdom was finally ended in 1861) Life didn’t get much better- they had no where to go and now had to pay high prices for the land they were given.

Communism Dissatisfaction with the government, defeat in WWI and food shortages led to riots in St. Petersburg in The government troops joined the rioters, and the czar abdicated (gave up his crown).

Russian Revolution Revolution established a government based on Karl Marx….”To achieve social equality, land and businesses should be owned by people in common” …Communism.

Soviet USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was formed Comprised Russia and the homelands of the largest ethnic groups. Each Republic had its own “Soviet” or governing council. The Supreme council in Moscow made national laws – Forcibly annexed the Baltic nations.

Soviet System Lenin and Stalin established dictatorships Command economy Standard of living remained poor and people had no freedom to make decisions or express opinions. Millions who resisted were sent to prison or forced labor camps in Siberia – many were executed Religious worship was suppressed

Agriculture and Industry Collective farms….. Stay tuned for Power of Place: Vologda

International Conflict Attacked by Germany in German forces laid siege to Leningrad (former St. Petersburg) – 900 days Like Napoleon, German forces found out how hard it was to maintain supply lines in Russia By may 1945 Soviet troops controlled Berlin.

Cold War 1940’s to early 1990’s

End of Communist Rule 1980’s Mikhail Gorbachev –Glasnost – “openness” allowed citizens and new smedia to say what they wishied without reprisal –Perestroika – “economic restructuring” – gradual change from command system to market system.

Political change With newfound freedom, people called for an end to communism. Baltic republics declared their independence Russians voted in their first deomocratic election. (Boris Yeltsin) At the end of 1991, Gorbacheve resigned announcing the end of the Soviet Union.

Future Many challenges for a country unaccustomed to democracy –Constitution allowed the president to rule by decree –No political organizations except communist party Economic change is difficult…

Russia’s second democratic presidential election – Yeltsin reelected Yeltsin resigned, Vladimir Putin became acting president. Putin elected in 2000.

The End