The text provides a comprehensive historical overview of Russia and Ukraine from prehistoric times to the early 20th century. It begins by discussing the nomadic tribes and Bronze Age cultures that inhabited the lands now known as Russia and Ukraine. These tribes left no written records, their only legacy being the kurgans, large mounds in which they buried their chieftains. The text then moves on to the Scythians, a people from the same era, and their eventual replacement by the Slavs.
The Slavs were divided into many tribes, but shared some language and culture. They were later invaded by the Varangians, or Vikings, who established the Rurikids dynasty. The Rurikids ruled Russia for 700 years, and their people called themselves the Rus. The text also mentions the Grand Principality of Moscow, which grew in power and eventually led to the formation of the Russian state.
The text then delves into the period of Mongol rule, noting the devastation caused by the Mongol invasions and the eventual disintegration of the Golden Horde into rival khanates. It mentions the exploits of Alexander Nevsky and the Grand Prince of Moscow, Dmitri Donskoi, who defeated the Tatars at the Battle of Kulikovo Field.
The text also discusses the period of anarchy known as the 'Time of Troubles', during which the Russian state was on the brink of extinction. It then details the reign of Tsar Mikhail and his son, Tsar Alexei, who implemented a new legal code that turned all Russian peasants into serfs.
The text then moves on to the reigns of Tsars Feodor III, Peter I, and Catherine the Great, detailing their major reforms and conflicts. It also mentions the Seven Years' War, the War of the Polish Succession, and the Napoleonic Wars. The text ends with the reign of Nicholas II, highlighting his repressive policies and the beginning of the Jewish exodus from Russia.
1. For thousands of years, the lands now known as Russia and Ukraine were inhabited by nomadic tribes and mysterious Bronze Age cultures.
2. The only record they left were their graves, specifically huge mounds called kurgans.
3. The Ancient Greek historian Herodotus referred to these people as 'Scythians'.
4. Their lands were overrun by the same nomadic warriors who brought down the Roman Empire.
5. The land was then settled by Slavs, who shared some language and culture but were divided into many different tribes.
6. Vikings from Scandinavia, known in the east as Varangians, rowed up Russia's long rivers on daring raids and trading expeditions.
7. According to legend, the East Slavs asked a Varangian chief named Rurik to be their prince and unite the tribes.
8. He accepted and made his capital at Novgorod. His dynasty, the Rurikids, would rule Russia for 700 years.
9. His people called themselves the Rus, and gave their name to the land.
10. Rurik's successor, Oleg, captured Kiev, making it the capital of a new state, Kievan Rus.
11. A century later, seeking closer ties with the Byzantine Empire to the south, Vladimir the Great adopted their religion, and converted to Orthodox Christianity.
12. He is still venerated today as the man who brought Christianity to Ukraine and Russia.
13. Yaroslav the Wise codified laws and conquered new lands. His reign marked the golden age of Kievan Rus.
14. It was amongst the most sophisticated and powerful states in Europe.
15. But after Yaroslav's death his sons fought amongst themselves. Kievan Rus disintegrated into a patchwork of feuding princedoms.
16. The Mongols under Genghis Khan had overrun much of Asia. Now they launched a great raid across the Caucasus Mountains, and defeated the Kievan princes at the Battle of the Kalka River, but then withdrew.
17. 14 years later, the Mongols returned. A gigantic army led by Batu Khan overran the land. Cities that resisted were burnt, their people slaughtered.
18. The city of Novgorod was spared because it submitted to the Mongols. Its prince, Alexander Nevsky, then saved the city again, defeating the Teutonic Knights at the Battle of the Ice.
19. He remains one of Russia's most revered heroes. The Mongols ruled the land as conquerors. Their new empire was called the Golden Horde, ruled by a Khan from his new capital at Sarai.
20. The Rus princes were his vassals. They were forced to pay tribute or suffer devastating reprisal raids. They called their oppressors 'Tatars' - they lived under 'the Tatar yoke'.
21. Alexander Nevsky's son, Daniel, founded the Grand Principality of Moscow, which quickly grew in power.
22. 18 years later, Dmitri Donskoi, Grand Prince of Moscow, also defeated the Tartars... at the great Battle of Kulikovo Field.
23. After years of infighting, the Golden Horde now began to disintegrate into rival khanates.
24. Constantinople, capital and last outpost of the once-great Byzantine Empire, fell to the Turkish Ottoman Empire.
25. Some hailed Moscow as the 'Third Rome', the seat of Orthodox Christian faith, now Rome and Constantinople had fallen.
26. Meanwhile, the Grand Princes of Moscow continued to expand their power, annexing Novgorod, and forging the first Russian state.
27. At the Ugra River, Ivan III of Moscow faced down the Tatar army and forced it to retre