Examining Conflict in Russian History

It's no secret that Russia has been witness to many conflicts throughout its history, as it's often been a tumultuous nation during the eras of its many Tsars and after the Russian Revolution. Russia has seen its fair share of wars and rift, both domestically and abroad, and understanding these conflicts is pivotal to understanding Russia's current political and social atmosphere. So how has Russian conflict shaped the country we see today?

The Mongol Invasion

Prior to Tsar rule, much of modern Russia was ruled by Mongol and Tartar groups that had invaded during the 13th century. This period was a particularly intense and destructive period, as the Mongol hordes destroyed much of the already present Russian infrastructure, geographical features, and population. However, by the time the last of the Jin Dynasty was expelled from Moscow in 1480, much of the current border of Russia had been solidified and cohesive states had formed.

Tsardom of Russia

The Tsardom of Russia began shortly after this, in tsar Ivan IV's rule in 1547. This period saw major territorial gains, as Ivan the Terrible annexed much of the surrounding lands and declared himself the Tsar of all Russians. This marked the beginnings of the Russian Empire, and with it, intense and bloody wars with other neighboring countries, such as the Livonian War, the Time of Troubles, and the Northern War.
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The Times of Troubles were a particularly interesting period, as Russia was plagued by civil unrest exhibited in a series of ultra-nationalist movements, peasant revolts, kidnappings, and demands for constitutional monarchy. This period was characterized by rapid power shifts and foreign invasions, but eventually it gave way to the Romanov Dynasty, under the rule of Mikhail Romanov who restored much of the lost power of the tsars.
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Industrialization and World War

The 19th century was a period of intense growth and changes for Russia. Industrialization was prominent, and with it, the growth of the working class which led to further social unrest. Major internal movements and revolts such as the Decembrist revolt and the peasant uprisings were witnessed, and towards the end of the century, World War I had brought Russia into direct contact with the central powers.

Russia's involvement in WWI was significant and after the war, they had gained some degree of influence in the region. With the end of WWI, and the beginnings of the Russian Revolution, the Tsars were overthrown and the Soviet Union had replaced them.

Soviet Union

The Soviet Union was a major semi-autarkic state, and with its policy of isolation it was increasingly hostile towards the outside world. The Soviet Union had saw its fair share of conflicts, the most crucial of which was the Cold War with the United States. The Cold War was a period of great diplomatic tension and espionage, as both Russian and U.S. forces battled for dominance in the region. Ultimately, the Soviets lost the War, and with it, the USSR collapsed in 1991.

This period of great social change saw the rise of the oligarchs, who led Russia through turbulent and corrupt means during the transition to our current Russia.

Current Political Scene

The current political situation in Russia is characterized by great tensions with the West, and many suspect that Russia has grown increasingly aggressive in the pursuit of its own interests. Various conflicts have been fought, notably in Ukraine and Syria, as Russia seeks to reclaim lost influence on a global scale.

The future conflict in Russia is anyone's guess, as the ever-shifting alliances and government of rulers makes it difficult to predict how future conflict could shape the current situation. No matter what form any future tensions take, it's certain that Russian conflict has been at the heart of numerous changes that have been experienced in the past, and will surely continue to shape both it's domestic and foreign activities for many generations to come.