"The traditional start date of specifically Russian history is the establishment of the Rus' state in the north in 862, ruled by Varangians."
A study of the formation and development of the Russian state and its impact on the world.
Russian geography and geopolitics: Understanding the geography and geopolitics of Russia is crucial to understanding its history. This includes the country's topography, climate, natural resources, and strategic location.
Pre-modern Russia: This period covers the origin and development of Rus, the state that became Muscovy, and the establishment of the Russian Empire. It includes topics such as the Mongol invasion, the rise of Moscow, and the expansion of the Russian state.
The Romanov dynasty: The Romanov dynasty ruled Russia for over three centuries until the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. This topic covers the reigns of notable tsars such as Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, and Nicholas II.
Russian culture and society: Russian history cannot be understood without a consideration of its rich culture and society: This includes topics such as Orthodox Christianity, literature, art, music, and folklore.
Imperial expansion: The Russian Empire expanded steadily for centuries, incorporating various peoples and territories, all the way up to the 1917 revolution. This topic covers the expansion policies, colonization activities and struggles with neighbouring empires.
The Napoleonic Wars and Aftermath: The defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in the War of 1812 had a significant impact on Russian history. It's studied to understand the resulting political and social consequences, as well as the conflicts that arose in the 19th century.
Russian revolutions: The Russian Revolution of 1917 led to a series of transformations in Russian society and politics, which had major consequences for the rest of the world. The topic includes both the February Revolution and the October Revolution which brought about the Soviet Union under Lenin’s rule.
Soviet Russia: The Soviet Union was the world's first socialist state, founded in 1922, and was a superpower until its dissolution in 1991. Understanding this period includes topics such as Stalin’s industrialization policy, the Soviet economy, the Cold War, and Soviet culture.
Post-Soviet Russia: Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Russia went through a period of transition which saw significant changes to its politics, economy, and society. This topic covers the fall of the Soviet Union and the rise of President Putin’s government.
Russian foreign policy: Russia is a major player in world politics, and its foreign policy is critical to global stability. This topic analyzes the country's international relations, its relations with Central Asia, and the Middle East, the United States, and Europe.
Russian identity: The issue of Russian identity has been contested for centuries, and the conversations surrounding the country's future often lead back to this concept. The topic includes the historical traditions, national myths, and cultural values that make up the Russian identity.
Ethnicity and nationalism: Russia is home to many ethnic groups; the study of Russian history includes an examination of how nationalism and ethnicity have influenced political and social developments in the country.
Revolution and civil war: The Russian Revolution of 1905 and the subsequent civil war of 1918-1922 are significant events in Russian history. The subject includes the changing political environment, armed conflicts and various partisan groups.
Russia's relationship with communism: Russia's engagement with communism provides an essential background to its politics and economics in the modern era. The theme includes topics such as Marxist theory, Soviet communism and Lenin's legacy.
Transnational perspectives: Understanding Russian history requires an understanding of how it has interacted with other countries and cultures. This topic views an analysis in a global context, which includes regional relations, trade, cultural diffusion and strategic alliances.
Imperial Russia: This field deals with the period from the reign of Peter the Great in the early 18th century to the fall of the Romanov dynasty in 1917. It includes topics like the reign of Catherine the Great, the Decembrist uprising, and the Russo-Japanese War.
Soviet Russia: This field covers the period from the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917 to the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. Topics may include the rise of Lenin and Stalin, the Great Purge, the Cold War, and the arms race.
Medieval Russia: This field deals with the period from the beginning of the ancient Slavic tribes to the conquest of Russia by the Mongols in the 13th century. It includes topics like the introduction of Christianity, the Kievan Rus' state, and the role of the Golden Horde.
Early Modern Russia: This field covers the period from the rule of Ivan the Terrible in the 16th century to the reign of Peter the Great in the early 18th century. It includes topics like the Time of Troubles, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Stony Road.
Revolutionary Russia: This field is dedicated to the period between 1900 and 1917 and focuses on the political and social developments that led to the Russian Revolution. It includes topics like the revolutionary movements, the role of Lenin and Trotsky, and the establishment of the Soviet state.
Post-Soviet Russia: This field covers the period from 1991 to the present day and examines the political, social, and economic changes that have taken place since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Topics may include the Yeltsin era, the rise of Putin, and the annexation of Crimea.
Russian Intellectual History: This field is concerned with the ideas and philosophies that shaped Russian culture and society. It includes topics like the Slavophiles and Westernizers, the role of Dostoevsky and Tolstoy, and the rise of Marxism.
Regional Studies: This field is focused on the different regions of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Topics may include the Caucasus, Central Asia, Siberia, and the Far East.
Gender and Sexuality Studies: This field is concerned with the study of gender and sexuality in Russia, including topics like the role of women in Soviet society, sexuality in Russian literature, and LGBTQ rights.
Military History: This field focuses on the military aspects of Russian history, including topics like the Napoleonic Wars, the Russo-Japanese War, and World War II.
Economic History: This field is concerned with the study of the economic development of Russia and the former Soviet Union, including topics like the role of the state in the economy, the impact of the market reforms of the 1990s, and the transition to a post-industrial economy.
Cultural Studies: This field examines the art, literature, and culture of Russia and the former Soviet Union. Topics may include the works of Chekhov and Pushkin, the role of the cinema in Soviet society, and the rise of contemporary Russian art.
"Prince Oleg of Novgorod seized Kiev in 882, uniting the northern and southern lands of the Eastern Slavs under one authority."
"The state adopted Christianity from the Byzantine Empire in 988, beginning the synthesis of Byzantine and Slavic cultures that defined Russian culture for the next millennium."
"Kievan Rus' ultimately disintegrated as a state due to the Mongol invasions in 1237–1240."
"After the 13th century, Moscow became a political and cultural magnet for the unification of Russian lands."
"Ivan the Terrible transformed the Grand Duchy into the Tsardom of Russia in 1547."
"The death of Ivan's son Feodor I without issue in 1598 created a succession crisis and led Russia into a period of chaos and civil war known as the Time of Troubles."
"The Time of Troubles ended with the coronation of Michael Romanov as the first Tsar of the Romanov dynasty in 1613."
"During the rest of the seventeenth century, Russia completed the exploration and conquest of Siberia, claiming lands as far as the Pacific Ocean by the end of the century."
"In 1721, Tsar Peter the Great renamed the state as the Russian Empire."
"Catherine the Great, who came into power in 1762, continued the westernizing policies of Peter the Great."
"Peasant revolts intensified during the nineteenth century, culminating with Alexander II abolishing Russian serfdom in 1861."
"A combination of economic breakdown, mismanagement over Russia's involvement in World War I, and discontent with the autocratic system of government triggered the Russian Revolution in 1917."
"In 1922, Soviet Russia, along with the Ukrainian SSR, Byelorussian SSR, and Transcaucasian SFSR signed the Treaty on the Creation of the USSR, officially merging all four republics to form the Soviet Union as a single state."
"Mikhail Gorbachev embarked on major reforms in the mid-1980s."
"...the weakening of the communist party and dissolution of the Soviet Union, leaving Russia again on its own and marking the start of the history of post-Soviet Russia."
"Coupled with economic growth, Russia has since regained significant global status as a world power."
"Russia's 2014 annexation of the Crimean Peninsula..."
"Under Putin's leadership, corruption in Russia is rated as the worst in Europe."
"Russia's human rights situation has been increasingly criticized by international observers."