"History of Russia in 100 Minutes" is a crash course for beginners. Here you will find the complete history summarized and retold in simple language with accurate dates, the most relevant names and essential concepts. After finishing the course, you will know:
- The basic characteristics of Russian history in different epochs
- The 54 most important rulers and 106 historical persons in Russian history
- 126 key dates and events in Russian history
- The basic terms and concepts of Russian history
The text is accompanied by numerous online resources:
- 20,000 pictures
- 700 videos
- 3,500 songs
- 100 podcast episodes
All that is available via the smarthistories.com website.
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Narrated by: Sammi Bold
Written by: Tanel Vahisalu
Edited by: Madis Maasing and Kerry Kubilius
Proofread by: Tony Burnett
Graphic Art by: Mehak Zaib Suddle
Video:
"Victory Parade” by Iosif Poselski, N.V. Solovyov, Irina Venzher (1945)
"Why We Fight: The Battle of Russia" by Frank Capra, Anatole Litvak (1943)
“Communism” by Coronet Instructional Films (1952)
“The Challenge of Ideas” by US Department of Defense (1961)
Music:
"Tchaikovsky (Part II)" and "Crocodile Ghena's Song" (1995) by J.M.K.E.
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SOVIET RUSSIA
SUMMARY
After creating the Soviet Union, Lenin died and a ruthless power struggle transformed Russia into the dictatorship of Joseph Stalin. World War II was followed by bipolar Cold War opposition with the West. The experiment of communism finally collapsed in 1991, having survived for 74 years.
BACKGROUND
In the beginning, the prospects of the Bolsheviks were frail. Nevertheless, Lenin was able to consolidate their power by making peace with Germany, nationalizing all the land, and creating an effective system of repressions.
STATE AND SOCIETY
On 7 November 1917, the Russian SFSR (Soviet Federative Socialist Republic) was declared. Lenin’s first government was called, “The Council of People’s Commissars.”
On 30 December 1922, the Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, USSR) was formed. It initially contained only four republics: Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, and the Transcaucasian Republic. By the end of the USSR, there were fifteen republics.
In 1918, the Constituent Assembly was dissolved and all parties, except the Communist Party, were banned. The highest institutions of the party were the Politburo and the Presidium. The most important official (the actual ruler) was the General Secretary of the party. The parliament, formally the highest organ, but which, in reality, followed the guidelines of the Politburo and Presidium, was called the Supreme Soviet. The government was first called, “The Council of People’s Commissars,” and later (after World War II), the, “Council of Ministers.”
A special secret police force, called the Cheka, was organized in 1917 by Felix Dzerzhinsky. It was later named the OGPU, NKVD, KGB and FSB. This highly effective organization began the Red Terror campaign against all who opposed the new Bolshevik government.
FOREIGN RELATIONS
The Soviet Union attempted to spread its influence and communism all over the world, especially to its neighbors. In 1919, the Communist International (Comintern) was formed. Its aim was to unite all communist organizations worldwide, to carry out provocations, and to initiate revolutions in other countries.
After World War II, the Soviet Union was successful in establishing its supremacy over the Eastern European countries, and in establishing governments that started building socialism in them.
During its lifetime, the Soviet Union had numerous indirect armed conflicts, over hegemony, with the United States in several parts of the world.
