Russian History Timeline

Kievan Rus (9-13 Century) - the cultural ancestor of Belarus, Russia and Ukraine.

9th Century

862: The Varangian (Viking) leader Rurik is invited to rule over the Slavic tribes in Novgorod, marking the foundation of the Rurik Dynasty. His successors would go on to establish Kievan Rus'.
879: Rurik dies, and his kinsman Oleg (also known as Oleg of Novgorod) becomes regent for Rurik's young son, Igor.

882: Oleg captures Kiev and unites the northern (Novgorod) and southern (Kiev) lands under his rule, marking the beginning of Kievan Rus' as a unified state.

10th Century

907–911: Oleg launches successful military campaigns against the Byzantine Empire, securing favorable trade agreements.
912: Oleg dies, and Igor I of Kiev becomes Grand Prince of Kievan Rus'.
941–944: Igor launches campaigns against the Byzantine Empire but faces defeat. He eventually signs a treaty with the Byzantines.
945: Igor is killed by the Drevlians during a tax-collecting expedition. His wife, Olga of Kiev, becomes regent for their son Sviatoslav.
957: Olga of Kiev, ruling as regent, visits Constantinople and converts to Christianity, although Kievan Rus' remains largely pagan at this point.
964–972: Sviatoslav I of Kiev conducts military campaigns against the Khazars and the Bulgars, significantly expanding Kievan Rus’ territory. He dies in battle in 972.

980: Vladimir the Great (Vladimir I) seizes power after a period of fratricidal conflict and becomes the Grand Prince of Kiev.
988: Vladimir the Great converts to Christianity and adopts Orthodox Christianity as the official religion of Kievan Rus', marking the Christianization of the state.

11th Century

1015–1019: After Vladimir’ death a succession struggle among his sons results in a civil war. Eventually, Yaroslav the Wise becomes the Grand Prince.
1019–1054: During the reign of Yaroslav, the Wise Kievan Rus' reaches the height of its power and cultural evolution. Yaroslav declares the first list of principal laws of the land (Russkaya Pravda"), exercises diplomacy, and promotes erection of prominent churches like the Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev.

1054: As Yaroslav, the Wise dies the divisions among his sons results ensues.
1097: The Council of Liubech is held, where the princes of Kievan Rus' agree to divide the state into hereditary principalities to prevent further internal conflicts, but this decentralizes power.

12th Century

1147: Moscow dates back to 1147. The monastic chronicles record a meeting.
1169: Kiev is sacked by the forces of Prince Andrei Bogolyubsky of Vladimir-Suzdal, marking the decline of Kiev as the political center of Kievan Rus'.
1185-1187: The Tale of Igor’s Campaign is the first literary relic of the period. Prince Igor of Novgorod-Seversky against the Polovtsy, steppe nomadic horsemen. Igor enters a battle with an overwhelming enemy. Though defeated, Igor escapes his captors and returns to his people. There is no known author of this epic.
Late 12th Century: Power shifts towards the northern cities, particularly Vladimir-Suzdal, while Novgorod becomes a powerful republic with considerable autonomy.

13th Century

1223: A first group of Mongol invaders defeats a coalition of Russian princes on the Kalka river
1237–1240: The Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus'. The Mongols, led by Batu Khan, devastate Kievan Rus' cities, including Kiev, which is destroyed in 1240. This marks the effective end of Kievan Rus' as a unified state
1240: The destruction of Kiev shifts power to the northern territories, particularly the Novgorod Republic and the Principality of Vladimir-Suzdal. These regions eventually become part of what would later become the Grand Duchy of Moscow.

Aftermath

The fall of Kievan Rus' led to the emergence of three distinct cultural and political entities: Ukraine, Russia, and Belarus, each of them traces its origins to Kievan Rus'.
Novgorod, in the north, retained a degree of independence and became the center of the Novgorod Republic, while the southern and western parts of Kievan Rus' came under Lithuanian and Polish influence.

Mongol Rule (1240 - 1480)

13th Century

1237–1240: The Mongol invasion of Kievan Rus'. Led by Batu Khan, the Mongols (often referred to as the "Golden Horde") devastate the major cities of Rus', including the destruction of Kiev in 1240. This marks the beginning of Mongol dominance over the Rus' principalities.
1243: The formal establishment of the Golden Horde. The Rus' principalities become vassal states, paying tribute to the Mongols. The Mongol influence introduces new administrative and military practices, as well as the postal system (yam), which would later be adapted by Rus'.
Mid-Century: Culturally, Novgorod flourishes as a center of Orthodox Christian spirituality and iconography during this period.
1236: Alexander Nevsky was summoned by the Novgorodians to become Grand Prince of Novgorod and, as their military leader, to defend their northwest lands from Swedish and German invaders.
1240: Battle of the Neva: The Novgorodian army defeated a Swedish invasion force at the confluence of the Izhora and Neva Rivers.
1242: Battle on the Ice: The army of Novgorod defeated the invading Teutonic Knights on the frozen surface of Lake Peipus.
1262: Resistance against Mongol taxes and administrators sparks several uprisings across Rus', but they are quickly suppressed.

14th Century

1310s: The Mongols formally convert to Islam, affecting relations between the Golden Horde and its Christian vassals. However, Orthodox Christianity remains deeply rooted in Rus', with churches continuing to play a central role in cultural life.
1319: Yuriy of Moscow marries a sister of the Mongol khan and is appointed grand prince, the first prince of Moscow to become grand prince
1326: The metropolitan seat of the Russian Orthodox Church moves from Vladimir to Moscow, elevating Moscow's status as a spiritual center. This is a significant cultural event, helping to position Moscow as the future leader of Rus'.
1327: A major anti-Mongol uprising takes place in Tver, but it is crushed with the help of Moscow. Moscow's collaboration with the Mongols allows it to grow politically and culturally, becoming a center for religious and artistic activities.
1328: Ivan I (Ivan Kalita) of Moscow is appointed Grand Prince of Vladimir by the Mongols, consolidating his power. Under his rule, Moscow becomes a patron of religious art, including the creation of beautiful churches and icons.
1360s: The development of Russian iconography flourishes during the Mongol period, particularly in Moscow and Novgorod. The famous icon painter Theophanes the Greek works in Novgorod and Moscow during this time, influencing Russian religious art.
1368 and 1372: Lithuania twice tries to invade Moscow
1378: Dmitry Donskoy, Grand Prince of Moscow, defeats a Mongol army at the Battle of the Vozha River, further emboldening the Rus' resistance. The event inspires Russian chroniclers, who begin to record these battles with a sense of emerging Russian identity.
1380: The Battle of Kulikovo is a major cultural moment as well as a military one. It becomes a symbol of resistance against foreign domination, celebrated in later chronicles and epic tales like the Zadonshchina, which parallels the earlier Lay of Igor’s Campaign.
1382: The Mongols retaliate for the Kulikovo defeat by sacking Moscow, but Moscow’s cultural influence continues to grow, particularly through religious architecture and the creation of Orthodox icons.

15th Century

1408: Mongol general Edigu raids Moscow, demonstrating the continued Mongol presence. Despite this, Moscow emerges as the cultural and religious center of Rus', with Andrei Rublev, a renowned icon painter, creating masterpieces such as the Trinity icon (1408-1425?), which becomes one of the most famous symbols of Russian spirituality.
1425–1453: The completion of the Tale of the Battle of Kulikovo, a major literary work that celebrates Russian unity against the Mongols.
1440s: The Golden Horde continues to fragment into smaller khanates, allowing Moscow to further consolidate its power. During this period, Russian monasteries become important centers of culture, preserving religious texts and producing art, particularly icons.
1444: the Cossacks are first mentioned in a chronicle
1448: The Russian Orthodox Church becomes autocephalous (independent) from the Patriarchate of Constantinople, establishing the Metropolitan of Moscow as its head. This marks a major cultural and religious milestone, asserting the spiritual independence of Rus'.
1452: Ivan III (Ivan the Great) commissions the building of new cathedrals in the Moscow Kremlin, further enhancing Moscow’s status as the cultural and religious heart of Rus'. The architecture of this period reflects Byzantine and local influences.
1470s–1480: Ivan III refuses to pay tribute to the Golden Horde, symbolizing a growing sense of political and cultural independence. This period sees the flourishing of Moscow as a center of literature, architecture, and religious thought, setting the stage for the rise of the Russian state.
1472: Ivan III of Moscow marries Sophia Paleolog, niece of the last emperor of Byzantium
1475: The mestnichestvo is instituted in Moscow (only nobles can aspire to top political and military positions) to reinforce Russia's claim to being Byzantium's heir ("the third Rome")
1480: The "Great Stand on the Ugra River" between Ivan III and the forces of Khan Akhmat ends without battle, but marks the end of Mongol rule over Moscow. It is viewed as the formal end of the Mongol "Tatar Yoke" and the beginning of the sovereignty of Rus'.
1480: Ivan III of Moscow assumes the title of Tsar of Russia

Aftermath

The Mongol period, often referred to as the "Tatar Yoke," had lasting cultural impacts on Rus'. While politically dominated, the Rus' principalities saw the development of distinctive Russian art, particularly in icon painting, religious architecture, and literature. The Mongol influence on Rus' administrative practices also laid the groundwork for the centralized Russian state that would emerge in the 15th and 16th centuries.
With the end of Mongol rule in 1480, Moscow rose to prominence as the center of Russian culture and political power, positioning itself as the "Third Rome" after the fall of Constantinople in 1453.

Tsardom of Moscow (1480 - 1613)

15th Century

1480: The "Great Stand on the Ugra River" – Ivan III (Ivan the Great) refuses to pay tribute to the Mongols, marking the end of Mongol rule over Moscow. This event is often considered the beginning of Muscovy's independence from the Mongol "Tatar Yoke."
1478: Ivan III conquers the Novgorod Republic, integrating its vast northern territories into Muscovy, further consolidating his power. Novgorod, as a cultural hub, brought valuable artistic traditions, particularly in icon painting and chronicles.
1485: Ivan III annexes the Grand Duchy of Tver, eliminating another rival and solidifying Muscovite control over central Russia.
1493: Ivan III of Moscow declares himself heir to the Kievan state
1498: Ivan III, is crowned as "czar" (successor to the Byzantine emperor) of Moscow
1497: The introduction of the Sudebnik, Ivan III’s law code, establishes legal reforms and centralizes state authority, and formalizes serfdom. This legal code becomes an important reference in later Russian legal tradition.
1493–1503: Ivan III’s wars with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania result in Muscovy gaining substantial territories. Monastic centers such as the Trinity Lavra of St. Sergius grow as cultural and religious hubs during this expansion, contributing to Russian literature and theological thought.

16th Century

1505: Ivan III dies, and his son Vasily III becomes Grand Prince of Moscow, continuing his father’s expansionist policies. Under Vasily, the architectural expansion of the Moscow Kremlin takes place, including the building of significant churches such as the Cathedral of the Archangel.
1510: Vasily III annexes Pskov, further consolidating Russian control over the northwest. Pskov’s artistic traditions, especially in icon painting, are incorporated into Muscovite culture.
1514: Muscovy captures Smolensk from Lithuania, a key city in the ongoing wars with the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.
1533: Vasily III dies, and his three-year-old son Ivan IV (later known as Ivan the Terrible) becomes Grand Prince. His mother, Elena Glinskaya, acts as regent until her death in 1538. During this period, the influence of Moscow’s metropolitans grows, and monasteries remain vital centers for culture and learning.
1547: Ivan IV is crowned as the first Tsar of Russia, marking the formal establishment of the Tsardom of Russia. His reign sees the centralization of power and major territorial expansion. Ivan IV is a patron of culture, commissioning monumental works like St. Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, built to commemorate his victory over the Khanate of Kazan.
1550: Ivan IV introduces a revised Sudebnik (law code), continuing the process of legal centralization and reforming military service obligations.
1551: The Stoglav Synod is convened, which brings together church and state officials to reform the Russian Orthodox Church. It addresses issues in religious practice and establishes standard rules for icon painting and church service, cementing religious orthodoxy and artistic styles.
1552: Ivan IV conquers the Khanate of Kazan, extending Muscovy’s control into the Volga region. The expansion contributes to the growth of religious architecture, with the construction of new monasteries in newly conquered lands.
1556: Ivan IV conquers the Khanate of Astrakhan, securing control over the Caspian Sea region and enhancing trade routes.
1558–1583: The Livonian War – Ivan IV attempts to gain access to the Baltic Sea. The war ends in failure, and Russia loses access to the Baltic. Despite the military struggles, cultural life in Moscow and other cities flourishes, with the rise of manuscript illumination and the development of early Russian literature.
1560: The death of Ivan IV’s wife, Anastasia Romanovna, marks a turning point in his reign, leading to increased paranoia and harsh rule.
1565–1572: Ivan IV establishes the Oprichnina, a policy of political repression. The Oprichnina period leads to a climate of fear.
1571: The Crimean Tatars, allied with the Ottoman Empire, raid and burn Moscow.
1581: Ivan IV kills his son and heir, Ivan Ivanovich, in a fit of rage, leading to a succession crisis.
1582: Yermak's conquest of Siberia begins, opening new lands for settlement and trade. This expansion eastward begins the cultural integration of Siberian peoples and opens new trade routes.
The correspondence between Ivan the Terrible and Prince Andrey Kurbsky is a key source for understanding 16th century Russian history
1584: Ivan IV dies, and his son Feodor I becomes Tsar. Boris Godunov, Feodor’s brother-in-law, becomes the de facto ruler of Russia. The Kremlin's Bell Tower of Ivan the Great is completed during Feodor’s reign, becoming a symbol of Moscow’s architectural grandeur.
1591: The mysterious death of Dmitry Ivanovich in Uglich. Dmitry’s death sparks rumors and contributes to later political instability.
1598: Feodor I dies without an heir, ending the Rurik dynasty. Boris Godunov is elected Tsar, marking the beginning of the Time of Troubles.

Time of Troubles (1598–1613)

1601–1603: A severe famine devastates Russia.
1604: The first False Dmitry invades Russia with Polish support.
1605: Boris Godunov dies, and the first False Dmitry seizes the throne before being assassinated. False Dmitry’s short reign sees an influx of Polish and Western European influence at the Russian court, affecting court customs and attire.
1606: Vasily Shuisky becomes Tsar. His reign is marked by civil unrest.
1606–1607: Ivan Bolotnikov’s rebellion threatens the state but is crushed.
1609: Polish-Lithuanian forces invade Russia, worsening the chaos.
1610: Polish forces occupy Moscow, and Tsar Vasily Shuisky is deposed.
1612: The liberation movement led by Kuzma Minin and Prince Dmitry Pozharsky expels Polish forces from Moscow. This victory is celebrated in Russian culture as a moment of national unity, inspiring religious hymns and historical chronicles.
1613: Michael Romanov is elected Tsar, ending the Time of Troubles and founding the Romanov dynasty.

Legacy:

The Muscovy period (1480-1613) was marked by the consolidation of Russian power, territorial expansion, and the rise of a centralized autocracy under the Tsars. Despite the political turmoil, this era saw significant cultural achievements, from monumental architecture like St. Basil's Cathedral to the flourishing of religious art and literature. Moscow emerged as both the political and cultural heart of Russia, with Orthodox Christianity shaping the country’s identity. The Time of Troubles, while a period of immense hardship, ultimately led to a renewed sense of national unity and the establishment of the Romanov dynasty.

17th Century

1613: a council of clergy, nobles, landowners and peasants elects the 16-year old Mikhail Romanov as czar and inaugurates the Romanov dynasty, but most Russian cities have been devastated by the civil war and by the invasions of Poland and Sweden
1619: Michail Romanov's father Philaret is made patriach
1618: The Treaty of Deulino is signed, ending the Polish-Muscovite War (1605–1618) and ceding some territories to Poland-Lithuania.
1639: the Cossacks reach the Pacific Ocean
1645: Tsar Alexei I ascends to the throne, promoting reforms and centralization.
1649: A council compiles a new code of law, the "Ulozhenie", that de facto legalizes serfdom
1653: In 1653, with support from the Tsar, Patriarch Nikon began the process of changing the Russian divine service books to align with their contemporary Greek counterparts and changed certain liturgical rituals. The Schism of the Russian Church, also known as Raskol, was the splitting of the Russian Orthodox Church into an official church and the Old Believers movement in the mid-17th century.
1654: The Pereyaslav Agreement is signed, aligning Ukraine with Russia.
1664: A Western-style postal service is inaugurated
1667: The Andrusovo Treaty ends the Russo-Polish War, with Russia gaining control over the eastern part of Ukraine.
1670-1671: The Stenka Razin rebellion occurs, reflecting peasant discontent and leading to increased repression by the state.
1672: The Russian Orthodox Church begins the publication of its first printed books, marking the start of Russian print culture. The czar establishes a Western-style court theater
Late Century: Naryshkin Baroque (Moscow Baroque) is a partiular style and decoration which combines Western European Baroque style of architecture with traditional Russian architecture.

1682: Peter the Great becomes Tsar, initially ruling jointly with his half-brother Ivan V. He later consolidates power and becomes the sole ruler.
1696: Peter the Great embarks on his Grand Embassy to Western Europe, aiming to modernize Russia.

18th Century

1703: St. Petersburg is founded by Peter the Great, becoming the new capital of Russia. The city symbolizes Russia's Westernization and modernization.
1709: The Battle of Poltava marks a decisive victory for Peter the Great in the Great Northern War against Sweden.
1712: St. Petersburg officially becomes the capital of Russia.
1716: Peter the Great establishes the first Russian military school, emphasizing the importance of modern education.
1721: Peter established the Holy Synod, a body of ten clergymen chaired by a secular official, who was head of the Russian Orthodox Church in lieu of the Patriarch of Moscow. Peter was declared Emperor.
1725: Peter the Great dies, and Empress Catherine I succeeds him.

There were multiple female rulers of Russia in the 18th century, including: Catherine I (1725–27), Anna( 1730–40), Elizabeth Petrovna (Tsar Elizabeth I) (1741–62), Catherine the Great (1762–96).

1755: Moscow University was founded.
1752-1757: Catherine Palace was rebuilt (1752–57) in the Russian Baroque style by Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli.
1754-1762: The Winter Palace was built by Italian architect Bartolomeo Francesco Rastrelli at the request of Empress Elizabeth I. The palace was designed in the Russian Baroque style.
1711-1765: Mikhail Vasilyevich Lomonosov was a Russian polymath, scientist and writer, who made important contributions to literature, education, and science.
1755: The scientist Mikhail Lomonosov with help from Elizaveta's new favorite Ivan Shuvalov, founds the Moscow State University, the first Russian university
1762: Catherine the Great ascends to the throne following the coup against her husband, Peter III, promoting the arts and the expansion of education.
1767: Catherine the Great convenes the Legislative Commission to reform the legal system but ultimately does not implement significant changes.
1773: Emelian Pugachev, who proclaims himself emperor Pyotr III, leads a cossack rebellion along the Ural river that becomes a mass rebellion by serfs, miners and workers, promising the extermination of nobles and landlords
1774: The Russians defeat the Ottomans and obtain cities of the Black Sea and Caucasus, the first time that the Ottoman Empire loses Muslim subjects to a Christian power. Pugachev is defeated and executed
1776: The Bolshoi Ballet is founded
1779: Russia annexes the Crimea
1783: Ekaterina grants the right for everybody to open a publishing house, causing a boom in book publishing

1785: The "Charter of the Nobility" is issued, granting privileges to the nobility, which enhances their cultural and social standing.
Mid-Century: Developing Neoclassical architecture style.
1794: Russia builds the port of Odessa in the southern Ukraine conquered from the Ottomans
1796: Catherine the Great dies; Paul I becomes Tsar, implementing some reforms but also alienating the nobility.
1799: The Russian-American company is chartered

19th Century

1801: Alexander I ascends to the throne after Paul I’s assassination, initiating a period of reform and liberalization. Eastern Georgia asks to be annexed to Russia
1808: Russia establishes the colony of Novaiy Rossiya in California
1812: The Patriotic War against Napoleon takes place, culminating in the French invasion of Russia and the subsequent retreat of French forces.
1825: The Decembrist Revolt occurs, led by military officers advocating for constitutional reform; it is suppressed by Nicholas I.
1837: First railroad
The 19th Century: The Golden Age of Russian Literature unfolds, with prominent authors such as Alexander Pushkin, Fyodor Dostoevsky, and Leo Tolstoy emerging.
1855: The Crimean War begins, exposing weaknesses in the Russian military and leading to significant losses.
1859: Russia conquers Shamil, the headquarters of Muslim resistance in the Caucasus, and annexes Chechnya while thousands of Muslims migrate to Turkey
1861: Tsar Alexander II abolishes serfdom, marking a major social reform that has cultural ramifications, including the rise of a new class of free peasants.
1864: Reforms are introduced in the legal system, establishing a jury trial and legal representation.
1865: Russia turns the kingdom of Poland into the Vistula Province, forbids the use of the Polish and Lithuanian languages and persecutes the Catholic church
1866: The State Bank of Russia is created
1867: The USA buys Alaska from Russia
1869: The periodic table was discovered by Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev.
1875-1876: Russian composer Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed the music for Swan Lake. The first performance was in 1887 at the Bolshoi Theatre.
1870s-1890s: The Russian Realist movement in art flourishes, with artists like Ilya Repin and the Wanderers group emerging, depicting social issues and everyday life.
1881: Alexander II is assassinated by revolutionary terrorists; his son, Alexander III, becomes Tsar and implements repressive policies.
1891: Construction begins on the Trans-Siberian Railway, connecting European Russia to the Far East, fostering economic and cultural exchange.

20th Century

1903: The play The Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov delves into broader themes of social change, nostalgia, loss, and the relentless march of time.
1905: The Russian Revolution of 1905 occurs, leading to widespread unrest, strikes, and demands for reform. The October Manifesto is issued, promising civil liberties and the establishment of the Duma.
1906: The first Duma (parliament) convenes, but its power is limited, leading to conflicts with the Tsarist government.
1910s: The Russian avant-garde art movement emerges, with influential figures like Kazimir Malevich and Wassily Kandinsky redefining modern art.
1914: Russia enters World War I, facing severe military setbacks and economic hardships.
1917: The February Revolution leads to the abdication of Tsar Nicholas II and the end of the Romanov Dynasty. A Provisional Government is established.
1917 (October): The October Revolution occurs, with the Bolsheviks seizing power, leading to the establishment of a communist government and the eventual formation of the Soviet Union.

Legacy

The Romanov Dynasty was marked by profound changes in Russian society, politics, and culture. From territorial expansion and modernization efforts to the flourishing of literature and the arts, the period laid the groundwork for the complex transformations that Russia would undergo in the 20th century. The end of the Romanovs marked a significant turning point in Russian history, leading to the rise of communism and the reshaping of the Russian state.

Soviet Russia Timeline (1917-1991)

1917: February Revolution: Overthrows Tsar Nicholas II, leading to the establishment of a provisional government.

October Revolution: The Bolsheviks, led by Vladimir Lenin, seize power in Petrograd (St. Petersburg) and establish a socialist government.

1918: Civil War Begins: Conflict erupts between the Bolshevik Red Army and the White Army, composed of anti-Bolshevik forces.

Treaty of Brest-Litovsk: Russia signs a peace treaty with Germany, ceding significant territory to exit World War I.

The early Soviet period witnesses the flourishing of avant-garde art movements, such as Constructivism, with artists like Kazimir Malevich and Vladimir Tatlin gaining prominence.

1921: Civil War Ends: The Bolsheviks defeat their opponents, consolidating power and establishing the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

New Economic Policy (NEP): Lenin introduces a mixed economy with limited market reforms to recover from the civil war's devastation.

The Proletkult movement emerges, promoting workers' culture through literature, theater, and art.

1922: The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) is officially established in December.

1924: Lenin dies on January 21, leading to a power struggle within the Communist Party.
Late 1920s: The rise of Socialist Realism as the dominant artistic style, emphasizing optimism and the glorification of the working class.

The Soviet Union reorganizes the Islamic lands of Turkestan into four republics, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan

1928: First Five-Year Plan: The Soviet government launches its first five-year economic plan, emphasizing rapid industrialization and collectivization of agriculture.

The Soviet Union adopts a constitution based on the dictatorship of the proletariat

The Soviet film industry grows, with works like Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin" becoming influential.

Political propaganda through theater and art becomes prominent, emphasizing revolutionary themes.

1932: The government officially mandates Socialist Realism as the state art style, emphasizing optimistic portrayals of the working class.
1936-1938: Great Purge: Joseph Stalin initiates a campaign of political repression, resulting in the execution and imprisonment of millions, including Communist Party leaders and military officials. 2.5 million Soviet citizens are arrested and 700,000 are executed. Many artists and writers are persecuted.
1933: Four million people in Ukraine die of famine (caused by forced collectivization)

The USA recognizes the Soviet Union and establishes diplomatic relations

1934: The Soviet Union joins the League of Nations
1935: 94% of agricultural land has been collectivized while famine is killing millions
1936-1938: Great Purge: Joseph Stalin initiates a campaign of political repression, resulting in the execution and imprisonment of millions, including Communist Party leaders and military officials. 2.5 million Soviet citizens are arrested and 700,000 are executed. Many artists and writers are persecuted.
1939: Nazi-Soviet Non-Aggression Pact: The USSR and Nazi Germany sign a pact, agreeing to divide Eastern Europe. This leads to the Soviet invasion of Poland in September.

1940: The Soviet Union invades Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia
1941-1945: Great Patriotic War
1941: Nazi Germany invades the Soviet Union on June 22, leading to the beginning of the Great Patriotic War (Eastern Front of World War II).
July 1942-Feb 1943: Battle of Stalingrad was a major battle on the Eastern Front of World War II,
1945: End of World War II: The Soviet Union emerges as a superpower after defeating Nazi Germany. The Red Army captures Berlin in May. Formation of the Eastern Bloc: The USSR establishes control over Eastern European countries, leading to the division of Europe during the Cold War.
1949: The Soviet Union detonates its first atomic bomb (based on American designs stolen by Klaus Fuchs). Several leaders of the Communist Party in Leningrad are arrested, accused of a USA-funded conspiracy against Stalin (the "Leningrad Affair"), and many are executed after a secret trial.
1947-1953:The Seven Sisters are a group of seven skyscrapers in Moscow, Russia, designed in the Stalinist style
90 thousand people are deported from the Baltic republic to Siberia, as well as 94 thousand Moldavians and 60 thousand Greeks, Armenians and Turks from the Black Sea
1953: The "Doctors' Plot" (to assassinate the Soviet leaders) heralds a new wave of anti-Semitic persecution. Joseph Stalin dies on March 5
1956: Khrushchev's Secret Speech: During the 20th Party Congress, Khrushchev denounces Stalin's cult of personality and his repressive policies. Hungarian Revolution: A nationwide revolt against the Soviet-backed government is brutally suppressed by Soviet forces.
1957-1961: Khrushchev's Thaw allowed some freedom of information in the media, arts, and culture; international festivals, foreign movies, uncensored books, and new forms of entertainment on the emerging national television, ranging from massive parades and celebrations to popular music and variety shows, satire and comedies The publication of Boris Pasternak’s "Doctor Zhivago" (1957) and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn’s "One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich" (1962) challenges state narratives. Andrei Tarkovsky making significant contributions to cinema.

1957: World Festival of Youth and Students was held in Moscow. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak published in Milan after it was refused publication in the USSR. Pasternak was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature the following year.

1959: The first international film festival in the USSR showcases Soviet cinema, promoting cultural exchange.
1961: Construction of the Berlin Wall: The wall is erected to prevent East Germans from fleeing to the West, symbolizing the Cold War divide. The first human, Yuri Gagarin, orbits the Earth, showcasing Soviet space achievements during the Space Race. The Soviet space program inspires a wave of interest in science fiction literature and film.
1962: Krushev and Kennedy risk a nuclear war over Soviet missiles deployed in Cuba but the Soviet Union withdraws the missiles from Cuba and the USA from Turkey
1968: Prague Spring: A period of political liberalization in Czechoslovakia is crushed by a Soviet-led invasion. Soviet dissidents, including writers like Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, gain international recognition for their critique of the regime.
1980: Moscow Olympics
1979-1989: Soviet-Afghan War: The USSR invades Afghanistan to support a communist government, leading to a prolonged and costly conflict. The underground rock scene flourishes gaining popularity despite government restrictions.
1986: Chernobyl Disaster: A catastrophic nuclear accident occurs at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, causing widespread radioactive contamination and public health crises.
1987: Mikhail Gorbachev appealed over the heads of the party to the people and called for democratization. The word "perestroika" was used first time in 1986.
1989: Fall of the Berlin Wall: The wall's collapse symbolizes the end of Soviet influence in Eastern Europe and the decline of communism. Revolutions in Eastern Europe: A wave of anti-communist uprisings occurs across Eastern Europe, leading to the collapse of communist regimes. The period sees a resurgence of previously suppressed cultural expressions, including music, art, and literature, as citizens demand freedom of expression.

1991: August Coup Attempt: Hardline communist members attempt to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev but fail, leading to increased calls for independence in various Soviet republics.
December 26: The Soviet Union is officially dissolved, marking the end of the Soviet era and the emergence of independent republics.

Post-Soviet Russia Timeline (1991-Present)

1991: December 25: Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as President of the Soviet Union, leading to the official dissolution of the USSR.
December 26: The Soviet Union is officially dissolved; the Russian Federation emerges as an independent country.
1992: Boris Yeltsin becomes the first President of the Russian Federation. The Russian government begins implementing economic reforms known as "shock therapy," leading to rapid privatization. The first Russian film festival, "Kinotavr," is held in Sochi, celebrating independent cinema.
1993: A constitutional crisis occurs as Yeltsin and the parliament clash over power. Yeltsin orders troops to shell the parliament building. The Bolshoi Theatre reopens after extensive renovations, reviving its role as a major cultural institution.
December: A new constitution is adopted, establishing a presidential system of governance.
1994: The First Chechen War begins as Russian forces attempt to regain control over the breakaway Republic of Chechnya. The Moscow Art Theatre hosts a revival of Chekhov's plays, showcasing a return to classic Russian literature in performance.
1996: Boris Yeltsin is re-elected as President in a controversial election marked by widespread allegations of fraud and corruption.
1998: August: Russia experiences a financial crisis, leading to the devaluation of the ruble and a default on government bonds.
1999: December: Boris Yeltsin unexpectedly resigns on New Year’s Eve, and Vladimir Putin is appointed as acting president.
2002: Chechen guerrillas directed by Basayev take 700 Russians hostage in a Moscow theater (129 die when Russian soldiers storm the theater with poisonous gas)
2003: The Putin government acquires all national TV stations
2004: The "Golden Mask" theatre awards are established, recognizing excellence in Russian theatre.
2005:The Russian government reasserts control over energy resources, particularly gas and oil.
2008: Russia sends tanks into Georgia and bombs Georgian air bases after Georgia launches a military offensive to retake the breakaway province of South Ossetia, and Russia de facto annexes South Ossetia and Abkhazia
2011: Large-scale protests erupt in Moscow and other cities against alleged electoral fraud in parliamentary elections.
2014: Russia annexes Crimea following a disputed referendum, leading to international condemnation and sanctions from Western nations. The "Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics" are held, showcasing Russia’s athletic talent and infrastructure development.
2020: Russia holds a nationwide referendum to approve constitutional amendments, including allowing Putin to potentially remain in power until 2036.
2022: February: Russia launches a large-scale invasion of Ukraine, leading to severe international sanctions and widespread condemnation. Many cultural institutions in Russia face international backlash, leading to the cancellation of events and collaborations with Western artists.

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