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General Information About Russia

The Russian Federation is the world's largest country, spanning over 17 million square miles, with Moscow as its capital. Home to approximately 140 million people, Russia boasts a rich history from the Slavic migrations in 500 B.C.E. to the establishment of the Romanov dynasty and significant rulers like Peter the Great and Catherine the Great. Today, under Vladimir Putin's leadership, Russia grapples with economic challenges and a unique blend of Eastern Orthodox and Islamic cultures, while maintaining a significant global presence through the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).

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General Information About Russia

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  1. General Information About Russia

  2. Official Name: RUSSIAN FEDERATION • 17,075,200 square miles (1.8 times the size of U.S.A.) • Capital – Moscow, made up of 8,369,000 people • Total Population– 140,041,247 • Main Language– Russian

  3. Religions: 15-20% Russian Orthodox, 10-15% Muslim, 2% other Christian • Current Leader: Vladimir Putin • Currency: RUBLE (31.60 rubles= $1) • Average Income: $7,700 (U.S. is $27,108)

  4. The former Soviet Republics, although independent, have formed the COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) • Russia is the figurehead leader of the CIS

  5. The Rise of Russia • 500 B.C.E. (Roman Times) a people called the SLAVS moved into southern Russia • 800’s C.E. – Missionaries from Constantinople converted Slavs to Eastern Orthodox Christianity

  6. 863 C.E. – Cyrillic alphabet created to translate Greek bible • An educated class forms

  7. 1200’s C.E. – Mongols conquered Russia and cut it off from Western Europe • 1462-1505 C.E. – Ivan III (Ivan the Great) • The first CZAR (Russian word for Caesar), brought Northern Russia under his control • Was an AUTOCRAT – ruler with unlimited power

  8. 1533-1584 C.E.–Ivan the Terrible • Ruled with ABSOLUTE POWER • Centralized royal power • Bound serfs to land & cut BOYARS’ (nobles) privileges

  9. SERF – landless peasant who worked the nobles’ land for “free”

  10. Created a secret police force • Reign of terror against powerful Boyars to crush them – earned his nickname • Introduce reforms like a new law code • Encouraged FEUDALISM – Boyars given land by czar to strengthen their bonds w/him

  11. 1598-1613 C.E. – Time of Trouble • There was no MIDDLE CLASS • Boyars feuded over the throne • Peasants revolted & foreign invaders entered Russia • Michael Romanov finally elected by Boyars and began the Romanov Dynasty (ruling family), which ended in 1917

  12. 1682-1725 C.E.- Peter the Great • Westernized Russia • Modernized the army & navy • Made government more efficient • Built capital of St. Petersburg –”window on the West”

  13. Used force and terror to make people follow his orders (men had to shave beards, all had to wear western-style clothing) • Although Russia strengthened, large gap still existed between Russia and Western Europe

  14. 1762-1796 C.E.–Catherine the Great • Obtained Boyars’ support by exempting them from taxes & giving them complete control over the serfs • “Enlightened” ruler–encouraged Western thought

  15. 1762-1796 C.E.–Catherine the Great • Successful foreign policy: expanded Russia’s border to the Black Sea and defeated Ottoman Empire • Also took over part of Poland

  16. 1801-1825 C.E. – Alexander I • Made many liberal reforms: partial liberation for serfs • Eased censorship & promoted education • Drew back from reform after Napoleon’s invasion

  17. Napoleon and Russia • Tried to invade Russia after the French Revolution • 1812 – Battle for Moscow • 75,000 died in one day • Russians burned Moscow to the ground • Napoleon got stuck in the Russian winter • Lost 500,000 men

  18. 1825-1855 C.E. – Nicholas I • “Orthodoxy, autocracy, & nationalism” • Put down Decembrist Revolt (liberals) • Strict, harsh ruler – used police spies • Militarized Russia

  19. 1825-1855 C.E. – Nicholas I • Outlawed Western philosophy – banned books • Jailed or institutionalized those with liberal or revolutionary ideas • Lost Crimean War to France/Britain

  20. 1825-1855 C.E. – Nicholas I • Realized Russia needed reform • Issued new law code & made some economic reforms • Even tried to limit power of landowners over serfs (but didn’t want to anger nobles)

  21. 1855-1881 C.E. – Alexander II • 1861 - Abolished serfdom • Brought problems – serfs too poor to buy land & lands allotted to peasants too small to support a family • Discontent festered

  22. 1855-1881 C.E. – Alexander II • But peasants moved to cities & helped build industries • Local gov’t set up – ZEMSTVOS (elected assemblies)

  23. 1855-1881 C.E. – Alexander II • Introduced trial by jury, eased censorship & tried to reform military • Women left homes to study abroad • Sold Alaska to the U.S. • Assassinated by terrorists

  24. 1881-1894 C.E. – Alexander III • Turned against reform and returned to repression • Revived secret police, restored censorship, & exiled critics to Siberia

  25. 1881-1894 C.E. – Alexander III • Launched program of RUSSIFICATION (suppress cultures of non-Russians) • One language & one church

  26. 1881-1894 C.E. – Alexander III • Persecuted Russian Jews • POGROMS – violent mob attacks on Jews • Many Jews fled Russia as refugees

  27. 1881-1894 C.E. – Alexander III • Russia did enter an industrial age • Railroad building occurred & foreign capital invested in industry • Social problems increased

  28. 1881-1894 C.E. – Alexander III • Workers faced long hours, low pay, poverty, disease, and poor housing • Marxism began to appeal to these workers • Plot to kill czar was foiled (Lenin’s brother executed)

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