Russian Research
In research, keywords are important!
Use the following players and topics to help construct your search.
Use the following players and topics to help construct your search.
Key Players
Vladimir I of Kiev
Ivan the Great
Ivan the Terrible
Peter the Great
Catherine the Great
Nicholas I
Alexander II
Nicholas II
Vladimir Lenin
Joseph Stalin
Key Topics
Expansion
Wars
Ukraine
Soviet Union
Accomplishments
Secret Police
Death & Replacement
Databases
Click on database icon to visit each resource.
Click here for passwords. (SBHS Student and Staff access only.)
Click here for passwords. (SBHS Student and Staff access only.)
World Book Online - This database has general knowledge articles, like this one on Peter the Great. This is a general reference database, meaning it is approachable for student researchers and easy to use, but it may lack the higher level content. Be sure to check the Media and Related Information tabs to see more connected, credible content.
ABC-Clio World at War - This database includes entries on Russian leaders like this one on Catherine the Great along with events like the 1917 Russian Revolution. The Revolution article includes links to the causes and consequences which might fit into your discussion on the existing patterns that led to the current conflict in Ukraine.
Infobase Modern World History - For Russia, this database covers the mid-1700s forward including articles like this one on Imperial Russia.
Proquest (The New York Times) - The coverage provided begins in 1851. Consider what date or dates might be of interest. For example, create an advanced search using the death of Czar Nicholas II as a criteria. Remember, editions of the newspaper are considered primary sources, which means that the story covered may be emerging and may not match what is in fact historical record.
Credible Websites
Primary sources connected to the Soviet Union regime are available from the Library of Congress. These include an explanation of the Secret Police,
With the tagline, "from JSTOR, nonprofit library for the intellectually curious" this JSTOR Daily article is supported by JSTOR sources, but takes a careful look at "The Birth of the Soviet Union and the Death of the Russian Revolution"
This NPR report notes "How the Soviet Union's collapse explains the current Russia-Ukraine tension." While the report dates from December of 2021, it does a good job explaining the tensions that led to the war in Ukraine.