Russia’s History

1. Russia’s History

2. Czar “Ramanov Family” Rules Russia • Russia was becoming powerful and the lives of serfs had not improved. Russia was divided between two groups; the very rich and the very poor. Tensions between the two groups began to rise drastically. • 1855-1881 Alexander II • -Wanted Russia to become more like European nations. • -Freed the serfs and gave them their own land. • 1881-1894 Alexander III • -Reversed many of his father’s reforms and the country again came under harsh rule. • 1894-1917 Nicholas II • -After a devastating defeat by the Japanese, unrest grew among serfs and workers. • -Bloody Sunday 1/22/05: Thousand of workers marched to the Winter Palace to request reforms from the czar. The workers were met by troops that fired into the crowds killing thousands. • -After Bloody Sunday Nicholas was forced to agree to the “Duma”. The “Duma” was a congress elected by the people. The Dumaheld power along with czar until 1917.

3. World War One • 1914-1919 • War that was fought over territory and alliances in Europe. • Russia formed an alliance with France, Britain, and the USA • 2, 500, 000 Russians killed • Russia withdrew from the war in 1917 due to its own civil war at home. Russia was economically devastated after the war. Inflation soared, people suffered severe food shortages and reconstruction costs were astronomical. Russia was on the verge of collapse. The Russiancitizens rioted.The czar Nicholas Romanov was forced to relinquish his power and a weak democratic government controls Russia.

4. Communist Principles Rule Russia • 1917 Vladimir Lenin overthrows the new Russian democracy and makes peace with Germany. • In order to heal the deep split between Russia’s rich and poor, Lenin installs a communist government.

5. 1917-1922 Communists come to power under Lenin. War broke out between the communists and nationalists. The war lasted for three years and cost millions of Russian lives. The czar Nicholas Romanov and his family are murdered by the Bolsheviks (Communists). Russian Civil War

6. USSR Formed • 1922 under Lenin • Union of Soviet Socialist Republics • The USSR was made up of Russia and smaller republics under Russian control. • Lenin jailed or killed people who opposed his communist government. • Bulgaria, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Albania, East Germany, Mongolia, Cuba, and Vietnam were nations that were ruled by the USSR. • Lenin dies in 1924

7. Josef Stalin Rules Russia Rules from 1924-1953 Stalin is a harsh and cruel dictator that supports communist principles. He controlled every aspect of Soviet life and jailed or executed anyone who opposed him. Stalin forced the serfs to give their farm products to the government and sent millions of serfs to the Siberian Labor camps where millions died.

8. World War Two • In 1939, Stalin signed a pact with Germany to not invade, Germany invades anyway. • In 1941, Germany invades the USSR and millions die. Soviet cities are destroyed. • The Soviets joined forces with the Allies and captured Berlin, Germany in 1945. Germany is defeated and the Russians never leave Eastern Europe after the war.

9. Cold War • The Cold War was a time of great tension in the world. Communist countries of Eastern Europe and the USSR formed an alliance called the Warsaw Countries. • The capitalist countries of Western Europe and the USA formed the alliance of NATO Countries. • The two alliances competed in an arms race of nuclear weapons, a space race, through education, and the Olympics. • The Iron Curtain marked the dividing line between communism and capitalism.

10. Sputnik Launched • The Cold War was a time of great tension and secrets. Both the United States and the USSR worked very hard to secure their countries. • Both nations were very fearful of spying and nuclear attacks. • Sputnik was one of the ten artificial orbiting satellites launched by the USSR that was believed to be spying on the USA.

11. Vietnam War • 1959-1975 • Conflict was part of the Cold War and was a hidden war between the USA and USSR/China. • South Vietnam: Capitalists • USA Supported • North Vietnam: Vietcong (Communists) • USSR/China Supported

12. Berlin Wall • The Berlin Wall was built in 1961. It divided Berlin, Germany into the East (Communism) and the West (Capitalism). This wall split families and friends for 28 years.

13. Cuban Missile Crisis • 1962 • Communist Dictator Fidel Castro rules Cuba with the financial and military support of the USSR. • The USA had long range nuclear missiles that could strike all of the USSR. The USSR was unable to reach the USA with their missiles. • The USSR devised a plan to set up Soviet nuclear sites in Cuba that could reach the USA. • Both nations were in the highest state of readiness and prepared to use nuclear weapons to defend their territory. • This crisis is the closest the world has ever come to nuclear war.

14. USSR Invades Afghanistan • 1979-1989 • USSR invades Afghanistan in attempt to install a communist government. • The United States supported the Islamic Fundamentalist government (Taliban and Bin Laden) that opposed Soviet rule. • Extension of the Cold War

15. Chernobyl • 1986 Ukraine • Worst nuclear reactor disaster in history. The explosion caused radioactive material to be released into the atmosphere. • Hundreds suffered from severe radiation sickness, high cancer rates and genetic mutations were common. • Chernobyl and near bytowns were all evacuated.

16. Fall of Berlin Wall • November 9th, 1989 • East German government opens its borders to the West and allows thousands to pass freely through the Berlin Wall. • November 10th, 1989: East German troops begin to dismantle the Berlin Wall which marked the end of communism in Europe.

17. Break Up of the USSR • 1991 • In economic ruin due to military spending to support the Cold War, the USSR collapses. • Russia becomes democratic and embraces capitalism. • Former Russian republics emerge as free nations and hold their own elections. • Communism is no longer present in Europe.