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Napoleon's Invasion
June of 1812 was the date of Napoleon's fatal Russian campaign, The majority of continental Europe was under his control, and his invasion of Russia was an attempt to force the Czar Alexander I to comply to a treaty proposed four years earlier.
Though the Russians were outnumbered, they fabricated a plan that, in the end, forced Napoleon to retreat out of Russia, defeated. This campaign ensured Napoleon's downfall, and began Russia's status as a leading power in Post-Napoleonic Europe. -
Russo-Japanese War
The Russo-Japanese war was the result of the clashing between two large, expanding empires. Both countries wanted to have greater power, and when Russia failed to withdraw from Manchuria, then invading North Korea, the Japanese attempted a negotiation to decide a division of the desired land area. Russia, however, was inflexible and unwilling to negotiate. This caused a year-long war to break out. Russia's disastrous defeat costed thousands of lives, and triggered the Russian Revolution of 1905. -
World War I
When WWI began, Russia responded by rallying around Nicholas II. However, military disasters weakened the Russian army, causing the government to be overtaken by Kerensky and the Provisional Government. This broke the 300+ year tradition of the Romanov family ruling Russia, and by 1917, the Bolsheviks had taken over many of Russia's major cities, introducing a communistic rule. By the end of the war the traditional autocracy had been destoryed, the world's first communism government established. -
WWII
There was great tension between Hitler and the Soviet communists, and war was inevitable. After several invasions on Russia's part, Germany invaded Russia in 1941, and many battles between surrounding countries ensued afterward. After several more years of the war, Russia had suffered greatly, and over 20 million citizens were killed, Their territorial ambitions created tension with former allies, and was the beginning of the Cold War. -
Cold War
The Cold War was "fought" between military powers of the Western World, and the Communist World. However, the name of the war is derived from the fact that there were never direct battles between forces. This was because each side had nuclear weapons, and use of them would surely result in MAD. Though Russia proved victorious, its economy was devastated.This caused reconstruction of the country. resulting in a peaceful revolution. -
Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
In 1979, Russian troops landed in Kabul, Afghanista, where they were already in the midst of a civil war. They intervened in support of the Afghan communist government, in its conflict with the anticommunist Muslim geurrillas. After remaining there many years, the effects on Russia were disastrous. 15,000 of their soldiers were killed and 37,000 wounded. In addition to this, the invasion is said to have contributed to the fall of the USSR. -
Wars with Chechnya
In 1991, Chechnya declared independence from Russia, and it was three years later that troops were sent in to reestablish Moscow's authority. This was followed by several Chechnyan wars. The problems continue today, because the Chechnyan people want full independence from Russia. Russia's obvious opposition to this proposition has resulted in many terroristic actions to their country. There have been several bombings in Moscow and other cities, clearly disrupting the peace in Russia. -
Russian War with Georgia
After much border clashing between Georgia and its breakaway South Ossetia, Russia intervened when Georgia launched a major military offensive against South Ossetia. Now there are still many battles going on today, costing thousands of lives on both sides. In addition to the lives lost, there are tens of thousands of people who were forced to flee their homes, now living as refugees. This war is costing Russia its peace, and normalcy will not be reestablished until the battles are over.
