Russian History in a Nutshell

Ten people, places, and events that shaped RussiaRussian History in a Nutshell

Russia Begins862 A.D. Scandinavian chief Rurik becomes a ruler of Novgorod. In the same year two other Scandinavian chiefs Askold and Dir establish themselves in Kiev starting the first Russian state.

Taken From: http://www.conflicts.rem33.com/images/Russia/RUS%20HIST%20IN%20A%20NUTSHELL.htm

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fb/Kievan_Rus_en.jpgMongol Rule1237-1480: The Mongols take over Russia, eventually appoint rulers, but are eventually overthrown by Ivan III (Ivan the Great).

Source: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar479480&st=russia&em=ta479480b CzarsCzar Title for the ruling prince1533 1584: Czar Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) establishes the reign of terror. Mass executions are becoming part of Russia's everyday life. Peasants live in serfdom where they had to stay in one area and work the land.http://www.history.com/videos/engineering-an-empire-st-basils-cathedral#engineering-an-empire-st-basils-cathedral

Copied From: http://www.conflicts.rem33.com/images/Russia/RUS%20HIST%20IN%20A%20NUTSHELL.htmOther Source: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar479480&st=russia&sc=7#h45 Peter the Great1683 1727: Czar Peter the Great attracted by the culture of Western Europe, attempts by decree and forced reform to transform Russian society into a Western one. He promotes immigration from the West (especially from Germany), encourages education, development of trade and industry, as well as westernized arts and architecture. At the same time he further toughens slavery and creates a huge modernized army of slave-soldiers.

Under Peter the Great Russia colonized Siberia, conquered Estonia, Latvia and Karelia from Sweden.

Copied From: http://www.conflicts.rem33.com/images/Russia/RUS%20HIST%20IN%20A%20NUTSHELL.htm

The Last CzarThe February Revolution overthrew Czar Nicholas II. The Bolsheviks (who were later called Communists) seized power in the October Revolution. Lenin became head of the government. Russia withdrew from World War I.http://www.history.com/videos/vanishings-the-romanovs#vanishings-the-romanovs Copied from http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar479480&st=russia&em=ta479480b

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/46/Russian_Revolution_of_1917.jpg

Communism1918-1920: There is a two year long civil war between the communists and anti-communists. Lenin establishes rule in which the government controls banking, foreign trade, heavy industry, and transportation. Cheka: A secret police force formed by Lenin.

Taken from: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar479480&st=russia&sc=7#h64 http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar126880&st=communism&sc=3

Stalin1929: Josef Stalin takes over as leader of the USSR a few years after Lenin dies.Socialist economic program: Emphasized the development of heavy industry and the combining of privately owned farms into large, government-run farms. Many citizens of the Soviet Union opposed Stalin's policies. The Great Purge: Secret police arrested millions of people. Most of the prisoners were shot or sent to prison labor camps. Many of those arrested had helped Stalin rise to power. Stalin thus eliminated all possible threats to his power and tightened his hold over the Soviet Union.

Taken from: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar479480&st=russia&sc=7#h45World War II1941-1945: The U.S.S.R. under the leadership of Josef Stalin became one of the Allied powers along with the United States and Great Britain.The Soviet Union suffered more military casualties than all the other Allied countries combined.Taken from: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar479480&st=russia&sc=7#h45

The Cold WarCold War: Mutual distrust between the Soviet East and West (such as the United States)Impact:Space Race: USSR launches first satellite called Sputnik, first woman in space, race to the moonArms Race: United States and USSR compete to have the most nuclear weaponsSources: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/article?id=ar479480&st=russia&sc=7#h45 http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/nuclear_arms_race.htm

Russian Federation1991: Throughout the 1980s demand for greater freedoms increased. Communist rule ended, and the Soviet Union was dissolved. Russia and the other Soviet republics became independent nations.Taken from: http://www.worldbookonline.com/student/extmedia?id=ar479480&st=russia&em=ta479480b

11