Points of Russia: Exploring the Land of the Tsars

Examining the Role of the Cossacks in Russian History The Cossacks are one of the most distinct and influential cultures in Russian history. Their unique way of life has shaped the history of the Russian Empire and the modern Russian state. In this article, we explore the evolution of the Cossacks, their prominent role in Russian history and their impact on Russian culture. The Cossacks are a unique group of Slavic people that began forming in the 15th century in southern and eastern Ukraine. They embraced a nomadic lifestyle, living as small communities in tents and on rafts as they travelled along the great rivers of Europe, seeking new homes and opportunities. The Cossacks adopted a strong code of honor and justice, as well as a fierce loyalty to each other. Throughout their history, they remained fiercely independent and repulsed attempts to control their lives. Daniil Silantev @ Unsplash The Cossacks were enormously influential in the expansio...

39; ' Exploring the Effects of the Russian Revolution Throughout the course of history, it has been clear that certain events have helped shape the way we live our lives. One of the most visible of these events was the Russian Revolution, which lasted from 1917 to 1922. At its peak, the Revolution abolished the Tsar’s monarchy and installed a new government: the Bolsheviks. This, in turn, had massive implications for all aspects of life in Russia, from its economy to its social structure. Here, we will discuss the effects of the Russian Revolution, and how it has shaped the modern and contemporary Russian sphere. One of the first and most visible effects of the Revolution was the switch from the Tsar’s monarchy to a new governmental structure. This new system was based on the principle of socialism, and was made up of a single-party state. The Bolshevik Party, helmed by Lenin and Trotsky, was the primary political force in Russia, and imposed a highly centralized government. This...

Important People in Russian History Throughout history, Russia has seen its fair share of influential figures, and many of them have had a major impact on the country’s development and the state of modern Russia today. From religious leaders and generals to intellectuals and poets, the people of Russia have produced a number of great minds whose legacies will surely never be forgotten. Here, we take a look at some of the most important people in Russian history, whose distinguished and inspiring lives have shaped Russia’s past and its people’s future. Ivan the Terrible Ivan the Terrible, or Ivan IV, was the first Tsar of Russia, or ruler of all the Russian lands. Under his rule, Russian culture expanded, and he is credited with modernizing the country. Ivan was born in 1530 and was crowned at the tender age of 16. He would go on to form the Oprichnina, a secret state police that violently suppressed opposition. Ivan was a deeply religious man, and he sought to unite all the various R...

Learning About the Founding of Russia Want to know how Russia became the vast country it is today? Let us dive in and explore the history of its founding! Modern-day Russia is the largest country in the world in terms of landmass. It's so expansive that it shares borders with 14 different countries, spans 11 distinct time zones, and contains the majority of the world's fresh water supply! But what were the events and people involved in the formation of Russia? rogov @ Unsplash For starters, Russia was created over centuries of cultural strife and the volatile struggles between different members of the East Slavic population. It all began with the settlement of the tribe of Rus', a group of East Slavic people that migrated into the Kievan Rus' in the 8th century AD. The Kievan Rus' was born out of a series of political alliances and was the first major political entity to pop up in the East Slavic region. It was a loose confede...

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. Ts...