Russia's Important Events

By Aden Friesen
  • 1237

    Mongol Domination

    Mongols invade Russia principalities, destroying numerous cities.

  • Russia takes part in Europe's coalition against the Napoleonic France

    In 1798-1815, Russia took part in Europe's coalition against the Napoleonic France. Defeated Napolean was forced to go back to France and was overthrown upon his arrival in France.

  • Assassination of Tsar Alexander II

    Members of a radical socialist movement, the People's Will, who protested the shortcomings of progressive social reform in Russia, plotted against, and finally assassinated, the Russian tsar in March 1881.

  • Rise of the Soviet Union

    Poor performance in the war and mismanagement of the economy at home prompt mutinies in the armed forces and street disturbances in major cities.

  • Stalin Ascendant

    Experiments with market mechanisms and private business under New Economic Policy give way to state-run command economy under Joseph Stalin, who becomes virtually unchallenged as dictator in 1929.

  • Soviet Union left reeling by surprise.

    The Soviet Union left reeling by surprise German attack in July. German advance only halted on outskirts of Moscow in December. The Soviet Union forms an alliance with Britain and the United States, who provide it with military supplies throughout the rest of the war.

  • Soviets first nuclear bomb

    Soviets explode their first nuclear bomb; Cold War rivals begin nuclear arms race.

  • Korean War

    The Korean War took place in 1950-1953. Around 5 million people died during the Korean War. Unlike World War 1 and the Vietnam War, the media did not get involved with the war. The Soviet Union was afraid of confrontation with the United States so that limited what they could do to help the Koreas.

  • Sputnik I

    The Soviet Union launches Sputnik I, the first artificial satellite that orbits the Earth in about 98 minutes and spurs the Space Race. In 1961, Soviet Yuri Gagarin becomes the first person to fly in space.

  • Chernobyl Disaster

    On April 26, an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, 60 miles north of Kiev, led to the worst nuclear accident in history. U.S. medical personnel provided assistance to the victims.