Baltic States Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania claimed their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. The push for independence began in 1988 when Estonia declared themselves a sovereign state with their own set of laws. Latvia and Lithuania quickly followed in 1989. All countries were angry with the poor economic and environmental conditions they suffered under … Continue reading “The Independence of the Baltic States”
Week 10 Posts
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
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The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan on December 25, 1979 to initially assist the government with help fighting Afghan rebels who opposed the socialist government. The leader of the country prior to the invasion was Nur Mohammad Taraki, who took power in a violent military coup in 1978 that angered many Afghan civilians and caused him … Continue reading “Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan”
Week 8 Posts
The Launch of Sputnik I
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The Soviet Union launched Sputnik I on October 4, 1957, which was the first earth-orbiting satellite by any country. This launch was a huge victory for the Soviet Union against the US in the space race that took place during the 20th century. The Soviet Union and its citizens took great pride in this achievement … Continue reading “The Launch of Sputnik I”
Comrades' Corner, Week 6 Posts
Stalin’s Ambitious Plans to Rebuild Moscow
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In 1935, Joseph Stalin alongside Lazar Kaganovich, a close associate of Stalin’s, signed the “Master Plan for the Reconstruction of the City of Moscow”. At the time, Moscow was an older city with narrow streets and buildings that dated back to the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. Stalin wanted to modernize Moscow and make it one … Continue reading “Stalin’s Ambitious Plans to Rebuild Moscow”
Comrades' Corner, Week 4 Posts
The Kronstadt Rebellion
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The Kronstadt Rebellion took place in March 1921 and consisted of Russian sailors and soldiers in the area rebelling against the Bolsheviks. Kronstadt is located on Kotlin Island, which is near the head of the Gulf of Finland, allowing for direct passage to St. Petersburg. The uprisings began in response to the authoritarian regime that … Continue reading “The Kronstadt Rebellion”
Week 2 Posts
Implications of The Russo-Japanese War
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The Russo-Japanese War began in February 1904 and lasted about one and a half years until Russia finally admitted defeat to Japan. In the late 19th century, “Russia’s Asian policy became increasingly expansionist and aggressive” (249), which was the primary reason for Russia’s involvement with war against Japan. Both Russia and Japan wanted territory in … Continue reading “Implications of The Russo-Japanese War”
Week 1 Posts
The Significance of Russian Farmers
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There are a few important aspects of this image, including the location and the significance of the peasants on the Russian Empire in the late 20th century. The image is of Russian peasants haying in the Volga-Baltic Waterway in 1909. Located in Northern Russia, the Volga-Baltic Waterway links St. Petersburg, which is on the Baltic … Continue reading “The Significance of Russian Farmers”
