The Russia that we know today is vastly different from
the Russia of centuries ago. In the earliest days Russia
was actually a series of small city states. Over the centures
these cities joined together (many times by force) to become
the Russia that we know today.
Some of the first settlement in ancient times were founded
by the Greeks. Remnants of these outposts have been found
in the southern regions of the Ukraine. The main purpose
of these settlements seemed to have trade as their primary
activity. Overall the Greeks of that period had little lasting
affect on the region.
During the 4th through 9th centuries (AD) parts of Russia
saw the migrations of the Huns, Goths, Avars and Magyars.
It was during this period that we see a rise of influence
of the East Slavs. At the same time the Western area of
Russia saw increased contact with both Northern European
and Middle Eastern traders/invaders. This contact did affect
the region politically, culturally and economically.
One of the defining periods of Russian history relates
to the Mongol invasions and their subsequent dominion. In
1223 the Mongol armies of Genghis Khan routed a combined
Russian army at the Battle of the Kakla River. Strangely
enought following the victory the Mongal army was recalled
and not seen for 14 years. Then in 1237 Batu Khan attacked
in the area controlled by Kiev. During the course of a few
years all major cities were reduced and the princes of the
region were forced to pay a yearly tribute. The conquerers
are now referred to historically as the Golden Horde. During
this time, the Russian cities were also under assault from
the west from the Swedes and the Livonian Brothers of the
Sword.
Finally during the 14th and 15th centuries Moscow began
to grow into a powerful Russian state. Over the years it
expanded in all directions, placing various other city states
under its control. Later it was Ivan III who began to refer
to this new empires as the "Third Rome". Later
in 1613 the Romanov dynasty was founded.
Russia experienced a period of modernization during the
reign of Peter the Great (1689-1725). European influence
began to spread, the creation of a western stylel military
began and the Russian Church was subordinated to the Czar.
The begining 19th century saw the attack
and defeat of Napoleon, and finished with Russia in a state
of turmoil. There was increasing opposition to the serf system
and czarist rule.
Under Nicholas II, the shocking defeat in
a war with Japan (1904-5) led to increased unrest. Russia's
disastrous participation in WWI caused even further civil
unrest. The czar was force to adicate on March 1, 1917. Following
this civil war broke out between the Communist "Red"
army and the loyalist "White" forces. The war terminated
on 1920 and the Soviet Union as we know it was formed in 1922.
The Soviet Union survived approximately 70
years. The country saw vast upheavals, war, famine, a Cold
War with the West plus much more. The fist leader was Lenin,
who died in 1924. Following him Stalin was in firm control
until 1953. Nikita Khruschvev followed and is best associated
with the Berlin Airlift. Following his ouster in 1964 Brezhnev
became the main political figure in the Soviet Union.
Finally in the late 1980's Mikhail Gorbachev
assumed control and on December 26, 1991, the U.S.S.R. was
formally dissolved.
Today Vladmir Putin is the President and
was recently elected to a second term. The country has an
economy that is becoming stronger and today Russia looks towards
increasing partnerships with Europe, North America and Asia.
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