History

Early Russia

Southern Russia has been inhabited by nomads since before recorded history. Northern Russia, however, was only inhabited since around 10,000 years ago. Slavs inhabited western Russia from 1500 BC until the vikings invaded around the 9th century AD. The vikings came in to make a trade post, because of the rivers that allowed easy transport to the Black and Baltic Sea. By the early 9th century, a Viking tribe known as the Rus had started civilization. This tribe will eventually be the source of the name Russia. Russia was led by Vladimir until his son, Yaroslav, won a battle to the death with his brothers. The ruling continued to work its way down the family.

Development & Today

During the early 1900s, Peter the great and his royal family ruled Russia. It stayed this way until the Russian Revolution of 1917, which brought a major change to the government. The system was changed from the absolute monarchy to communism in the form of Soviet Russia. This new government was run by Joseph Stalin. Russia was finally recognized as a world power in 1721. Russia's communist society continued to rule until 1991 when Russia elected Borris Yeltsin in what would be Russia's first election. Many reforms were passed to make Russia a capitalist-based economy. It retains this economic status today.




Timeline