History of Russia

since the Middle Ages. Russia has no major natural landforms marking its borders, but it relies solely on its relatively inhospitable climate and its forests for defense,as a result, Russian history is a chronicle of periods of expansion and collapse. Traditionally these invasions have come from the steppes and beyond and from the North European Plain. To deal with these vulnerabilities, Russia expanded over the period of 1,000 years. In the first phase of this expansion, Russia expanded north to the

1. The purpose of this paper is to give background on Russia’s history and mythology as well as its economy and natural resources. This paper will further explore the ways in which these domains influence Russia’s actions in regards to US interests. 2. Russia has a long history of invasions, uprisings, external influences, and revolutions which have caused its borders to expand and contract over time.1 Heroes of mythic proportion such as Alexander Nevsky earned their fame by defending the homeland

culturally aware of Russian culture, history and region

History Professor Steven G. Marks, from Clemson University, asserts Russia significantly influenced the world both politically and culturally, particularly between 1880 and 1980 in How Russia Shaped the Modern World. Regardless of Russia's inner turmoil, their detachment from Western values became an emblem of opposition for those who held animosity to the West. Another integral part of Russia's involvement in world history is the Western reaction to its impact a few decades ago. By creating and

not an easy change considering the remote location that Russia had to Europe and the deep traditional ways of the people. With this in mind, he created many changes that Russia was to undergo to become this powerhouse country that Peter envisioned for his people. With so much change to happen, the movement was a slow process but with Peter’s motivation, nothing seemed to stop the man. Peter the Great’s efforts to Westernize Russia unified Russia through his military ambitions, his cultural ambitions

History has a way of repeating itself, especially when it comes to battles in a large scale war. One example of this was when Napoleon and France invaded Russia in 1812 and when Hitler invaded Russia in 1941. Another example would be the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War because in both wars, each country had a point to prove and in both Britain lost and the U.S. won. These two examples prove that history has a way of coming back to prove a point. Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812 because Russia

without it. If it had not been for competition with Russia in the 1950’s, technology would not be where it is today. The U.S. has a history of competing with Russia. For example, one of the biggest competitions that took place between the U.S. and Russia was the nuclear arms race. According to history and politics teacher, Chris Trueman, “The nuclear arms race was central to the Cold War” (Trueman). Another race started in 1957 between Russia and the U.S., the space race (National Geo.). Also in

Russia is one of the most powerful countries that we have yet seen in the world today. Russia's culture, language, land, and traditions have been around since the beginning of times and are still used to this day. The history of Russia, ethnic groups, cultures and lifestyles, economy, climate, and current Russia are just a few of the most important essentials to know about Russia. The early history of Russia is of migrating people and ancient kingdoms. Early Russia was not actually “Russia”, it was

to rule in Russia, he used absolutism as a way to increase his country and his own power. During his reign, Peter was building a strong army, expanding his territory and Westernizing Russia. In an effort to Westernize Russia, Peter adapted new ideas from Europe. As a result, Peter had an overall positive impact in Russia. Peter the Great was born in Moscow and grew up educated by tutors from Western Europe which helped shape his views during his rule. Before Peter came to power, Russia was in a poor

Russia has formed the core of two great historical-political formations now faded away: the Tsarist Empire (until 1917) and the Soviet Union (1922-1991). Since 1991 is the political heart of the Russian Federation, which is part of the Commonwealth of Independent States. For much of its history, Russia was a backward country socially and economically, and authoritarian political point of view. In many ways it has also been - and still is - a country poised between East and West. After the Bolshevik