Use this page to learn about the historical context behind the current Russia/Ukraine war.
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Russia's Global Ambitions in Perspective (February 2019)
A good overview that provides context for what is happening now.
Russia: Wars and Conflict (primary source documents from BYU)
Territorial Evolution of Russia
Scroll down to the "Table of Changes" section
Early History:
Mongol Invasion of Russia, 1223-1240 (more in-depth information here)
Polish-Muscovite War (1605-1618)
Note: Some of these link to Wikipedia articles, as open-access academic resources are hard to find on this topic. Be mindful of the strengths and limitations of Wikipedia while using this source to find information.
Ivan III (1440-1505)
"The grand prince of Moscow from 1462 to 1505. He is considered Russia's first national leader."
Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584)
The first czar of Russia.
Peter the Great (1672-1725)
"A member of the Romanov dynasty (family of rulers), he ruled first as czar (king) of Russia and later became Russia's first emperor. Peter transformed Russia from an isolated and backward country into a great European power."
Catherine the Great (1729-1796)
"The Russian Empress Catherine II (1729‐1796), known as Catherine the Great, reigned from 1762 to 1796. She expanded the Russian Empire, improved administration, and vigorously pursued the policy of Westernization."
Nicholas I (1796-1855)
"During his 30-year reign as emperor of Russia, Czar Nicholas I ruled with the iron fist of a dictator. A true autocrat, Nicholas's defining characteristics were his distrust of the masses and his obsession with maintaining power at all costs."
Vladimir Lenin (1870-1924)
"Vladimir Lenin was the founder of the Russian Communist Party and the moving force behind the Russian Revolution of 1917."
Joseph Stalin (1879-1953)
"This Soviet statesman was the supreme ruler of the Soviet Union and the leader of world communism for almost thirty years."
Vladimir Putin (1952- )
"A former Soviet intelligence officer and prime minister, Vladimir Putin served as the president of Russia from 2000 to 2008. He was elected again in 2012 and in 2020 announced that he was abolishing presidential term limits, planning to remain in power until at least 2036."
Russia's War in Ukraine, Explained (Vox, March 6, 2022)
Russia-Ukraine War (New York Times landing page for all news/opinions published on this topic)
Maps: Tracking the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
New York Times, June 9, 2023
Ukraine War (WorldBook Online)
Seventeen Moments in Soviet History (Michigan State University)
"SEVENTEEN MOMENTS IN SOVIET HISTORY is a multi-media archive of primary materials designed to introduce students and the general public to the richness and contradictions of Soviet history."
The Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Resources at the Library of Congress (March 3, 2022)
Russian Leaders: Ivan II, Ivan the Terrible, Peter the Great, Catherine the Great, Nicolas I, Lenin, Stalin, Putin
The Russian Revolution
Russian Battles/Experiences in World War II: Non-Aggression Pact, Stalingrad
Cold War: Cuban Misile Crisis, the Berlin Wall, Iron Curtain, NATO, Warsaw Pact
Collapse of the Soviet Union and Oligarchs
The Wagner Group