Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

Seeking Understanding From Russia’s Struggles When news of the Russian Civil War began to spread in 1917, few people could have foreseen the devastating effects it would have. Over a quarter of a million people lost their lives and millions more were displaced, leading to one of the most traumatic and chaotic episodes in modern world history. Much has been written about the motivations behind the conflict, but what do we really know about it today? Is there any way to make sense of this tumultuous period? The Russian Civil War was a complex interplay of multiple ideologies, political agendas, personal grievances, and economic interests. Conflicting armies of Whites and Reds, which themselves were comprised of a multitude of factions, clashed over control of the nation. On top of the physical fighting, there was also a contested struggle over the country’s identity and its place in the world. While the immediate political outcome of the war tilted in favor of the Reds, it would be in...

Tracking Changes in the Russian Military Russia has always had a strong military presence, dating back to the times of the Romanov tsars. As the country has faced dramatic changes over the centuries, its military has had to develop and evolve in order to ensure national security. Today, the Russian armed forces are among the most capable and advanced in the world. Let's take a closer look at the history of the Russian military and how it has evolved over time. The earliest form of the Russian military can be traced back to the Kievan Rus in the 9th century. It is believed that the Kievan Rus adopted its military ideology from the Byzantine Empire, which valued discipline and hierarchy. From this formation, the Kievan Rus began to form a standing army and military tactics. In the 17th century, Tsar Peter the Great transformed the military from its primitive form and began to create a more organized and professional fighting force. The result was the Russian Imperial Army, which was...