brief background of Russian history

1. K I E V T O T H E M O N A R C H Y T O W O R L D W A R
A short History of Russia

2. Kievan Rus
 Slavic confederation of different principalities
 Located north of the Black Sea

3. Kievan Rus
 Kievan Rus converted to Christianity under rulership
of Vladimir I. His kingdom lasted from 980 to 1015
 Adopted the feudal system (borrowed from
Byzantine Empire), making power consolidated to
one powerful ruler everyone owes honor and loyalty.

4. Grand Duchy of Moscow
 Successor state to Kiev, consolidated power in
Moscow
 Helped drive away the “Golden Horde”
 Ivan the Great

5. Tsardom
 The title Tsar taken from Roman title “Caesar”
 Ivan the terrible first to take title, consolidated
feudal representative body, expanded Russian
borders, set stage for Russian history to come

6. Tsardom
 Peter the Great, turned Russia into an Imperial
Empire, made many reforms, expanded borders
through military success, founded new capital Saint
Petersburg as a window to the west.

7. Tsardom
 Last Tsar of Russia was Nicholas II, was overthrown
as Russian weakness was exposed during
World War 1.
 Tsardom lasted for nearly 400 years