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Russia Today

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union Boris Yeltsyn came to power and became the first president of newly established Russian Federation. Follow the history of the modern Russian state from his election through the "shock therapy" reforms and crisis to his resigantion and the beginning of Vladimir Putins's political carrer, who still holds the post of the President to this day.

Soviet Russia

The history of Russia between 1922 and 1991 is essentially the history of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the Soviet Union. An overview of the events of the 20th century, from the foundation of the Soviet Union to the emergence of the modern Russian Republic.

The Russian Revolution

Learn more about the main events of Russian Revolution across the territory of the Russian Empire, from the abolition of the monarchy in 1917 to 1922, the end of the Civil War.

Imperial Russia

Under Peter the Great Russia was proclaimed an Empire and was recognized as a world power. Follow the history of Russian Empire from its famous emperors Peter the Great, Catherine II, Alexander II, to the beginning of the 20th century and its tragic end.

Moscovite Rule in Russia

By the middle of the 14th century, the power of the Mongols was declining, and the Grand Princes felt able to openly oppose the Mongol yoke. In 1380, at Kulikovo on the Don River, the khan was defeated, and although this hard-fought victory did not end Tartar rule of Russia, it did bring great fame to the Grand Prince. Moscow's leadership in Russia was now firmly based and by the middle of the fourteenth century its territory had greatly expanded through purchase, war, and marriage.

The Mongol Invasion

The invading Mongols accelerated the fragmentation of the Kievan Rus’. In 1223, the Kievan Russian army faced a Mongol raiding party at the Kalka River and was soundly defeated. In 1240 the Mongols sacked the city of Kiev and then moved West into Poland and Hungary. By then, they had conquered most of the Russian principalities. Overall, Mongol reign over the Kievan Rus’ lasted for roughly 200 years. Of the principalities, only Novgorod escaped occupation.

Kievian Russia

The history of the first Russian state, that of Kiev, is semi-legendary and therefore resembles a fairy-tale, much like the ones grandmothers often tell children to make them fall asleep. Yet the early history of Russia also resembles a mysterious detective story, because sources on the topic aren't plentiful and therefore we don't know much about it. Although it's difficult and even impossible to produce all the correct answers, we can at least be able to avoid the cruder mistakes and oversimplifications.

Russia Before the Russians

It could be said that Russia's historical mission has always been to connect two great civilizations, that of the East and of the West. This was also the case centuries ago, when there were no actual Russians on the territory now occupied by the Russian state. At present we know, vaguely, the historical development of southern Russia before the appearance of the Russians and the Kievian state. It is important to appreciate this background in order to understand Russian history.

History