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Apr 5, 1462
Ivan III
Ivan the Great (1462-1505) was one of the greatest leaders in Russia's history. During his ruling, Russia gained independance from the Mongol Tatars, won the war against the novograd princedom (therefore aquiring north Russia: the Ural mountains to Finland), and the laws of Moscow were finally written down in one place. Ivan the great was also responsible for the expansion of the city of Moscow. -
Dec 3, 1533
Ivan IV (1533-47)
Ivan IV (the terrible) had been of great importance to Russia during his ruling. He led a 22 year-long war against Sweden, Poland, and Lithuania. Unfortunately, Russia did not gain any land. Ivan the terrible had become violent and led an unbalanced life in his later years, and eventually became both mentally and physically disabled, which led to his death. During his ruling, he revised the law code, subordinated the church to state, created a standing army, and established the council of nobles -
Michael Romanov
Michael Romanov (ruling 1613-1645) was one of Russia's most significant leaders. He was the founder of the Romanov dynasty and was elected Sovereign of all Russia in Moscow's red square by the assembly of the land, During his reign, he created a unified Russian state and resumed relations with foreign states. He also reformed the Russian army. -
Peter I
Peter the great (ruling from may 1682 to 1725) was the tsar of Russia for 43 years. During his reign, he unified the government, and strengthened defense by restructuring the army and creating a navy. He also eliminated foriegn policy, allowing a domestic policy to come through. -
Catherine II
Catherine II ruled from 1762 to 1796. She was the longest-ruling woman in Russia's history, both strengthening the country and expanding it's borders. Under her rule, Russia eventually became known as one of the great European powers. -
Alexander II
Alexander II, also known as Alexander the liberator, ruled over Russia until his assassination in 1881. Not only was he a great leader in Russia, but he was also a leader in both Poland and Finland. Not only was he significant to the countries in Europe, but he was of great benefit to the United States; in 1867, he sold Alaska to the United States for $7 million, after realizing how difficult it was to defend the land. -
Nicholas II
Nicholas the II, known as the ultimate ruler of Russia, ruled from 1894 to 1917. During his reign, he created the state duma, which allowed the people of Russia a voice that would be heard by the government. He'd also lost a great war against Japan in 1904, which humiliated the country. He and his family were eventually executed by the bolsheviks, making Nicholas the last Romanov Tsar of Russia. -
Joseph Stalin
Stalin is one of Russia's most well-known leaders. He brought industrialization and collectivization to the Soviet Union, and played a key role in world war two. He led the red army into Germany and took over east Berlin, creating much conflict between several European countries and the United States. Stalin also led the Great Purge, which was responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths. -
Alexander Kerensky
Kerensky was a key leader during the Russian revolution and the transformation into the soviet era. He served as the second prime minister in the Russian government, and was a major political leader. -
Vladimir of Lenin
Vladimir of Lenin was a very important political leader from 1922 to 1924. He was a leader of the Bolshevik faction, and took a main role in the October revolution, which led to the fall of the Russian Provisional Government, and the rise of the Soviet Republic. Eventually, the Bolshevik faction turned into the communist party of Russia, which Lenin himself led. -
Nikita Khrushchev
Khrushchev was the first chair of the communist party of Russia for 9 years. He was responsible for part of the de-stalinization, and approved many of the arrests and murders that the Great Purge ccaused. He also led the Soviet Union during the Cold War. -
Mikhail Gorbachev
Gorbachev was elected into political power in 1990, and had created attempts at ceasing the Cold War. His authority also led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990. He attempted three times to create a new government, but his failure led to his resignition. After he resigned, everything became out of control and communism in eastern Europe collapsed. -
Boris Yeltsin
Yeltsin was the first president of the Russian Federation, and served from 1991 to 1999. The majority of the Yeltsin era is defined by corruption, inflation, and economic collapse, despite his vow to create a free-market economy. Unfortunately, because of this, many of his followers turned against him within the first few years of his presidency. -
Vladimir Putin
Vladimir Putin is the current president of Russia, having won two elections into presidency prior to his current term. He is known for creating political stability and reforming the military. Russia is now an energy superpower and has high-tech nuclear and defense industries because of his decisions and leadership. He also plans on hosting the 2014 world olympics. -
Grand Prince Vladimir of Kiev
Ruling over Russia from the years 980 to 1015, Vladimir the Great was known as a great leader, contributing to the country in many ways. He adopted christianity, minted gold and silver coins, and spread literacy throughout the country. He was also responsible for the introduction of church art and architectural development. Also during his rule, he extended the Russian territory westward towards Europe.