Early settlers of Russia were mostly vikings and begin to settle starting in the 10th century, they begin to develop towns and cities. The religion at the time for these settlers was based on pagan practices brought on by their leader Vladimir The Great who was the proclaimed the prince of Russia. Vladimir was interested in finding the best religion for his people. Later he adopted the Greek Orthodox brand of Christianity. Moving forward to 1252 Alexander Nevsky is appointed the grand prince of the city of Vladimir to deal with frequent Mogul invaders. Nevsky establishes policies to limit these invasions, and helps establish the Russian orthodox church. In 1547 Ivan The Terrible was crowned the first czar of Russia. He was known for his paranoia and ruthlessness he concurred independent principalities like Siberia and enslaved its people. Just to get an idea of how he got his name it is said that he gauged out the eyes of the architect that created St. Basils cathedral so nothing like it could ever be constructed again.
Rise of Soviet Union
After Russia’s poor performance in World War I and failing economy results in mutinies and chaos ensues in major cites. The Bolsheviks overthrow the government and establish the communist party. Following a civil war between communist and anti-communist, which was aided by Britain,France, Japan, and U.S. to stop the soviet expansion that was growing westward until WWII. In 1929 Joseph Stalin came to power and carries out a second revolution forcing industrialization to strengthen Russia and killing anyone who opposed him or forcing them to work in labour camps. Stalin breaks the non aggression pact with Nazi Germany, taking over parks of Romania and Czechoslovakia , and eastern Poland after the start of WWII. The Soviet Union fights with the allies providing military supplies for the rest of the war. Following the victory over Nazi Germany The Soviet Union established predominance over Central and Eastern Europe where Stalin continues to spread heavy industrialization in these areas.
Moving on to the Cold War the Soviets become a rival in the nuclear arms race after building and testing their first nuclear bomb. This competition for power extends into Latin America, and former European colonies of Africa. In 1953 the death of Stalin helps relieve some of the repression in Russia, but for the most part the Communist party holds political dominance.