|
Soviet Union [USSR] RULING THE EMPIRE
During the early nineteenth century, Russia's population,
resources, international diplomacy, and military forces made it one
of the most powerful states in the world. Its power enabled it to
play an increasingly assertive role in the affairs of Europe. This
role drew it into a series of wars against Napoleon, which had farreaching consequences not only for Europe but also for Russia.
After a period of enlightenment, Russia became an active opponent
of liberalizing trends in central and western Europe. Internally,
Russia's population had grown more diverse with each territorial
acquisition. The population included Lutheran Finns, Baltic
Germans, Estonians, and some Latvians; Roman Catholic Lithuanians,
Poles, and some Latvians; Orthodox and
Uniate (see Glossary)
Belorussians and Ukrainians; Muslim peoples of various sects;
Orthodox Greeks and Georgians; and Apostolic Armenians. As Western
influence and opposition to Russian autocracy mounted, the regime
reacted by curtailing the activities of persons advocating change,
by creating a secret police, and by increasing censorship. The
regime remained increasingly committed to its serf-based economy as
the means of supporting the upper classes, the government, and the
military forces. But Russia's backwardness and inherent weakness
were revealed when several powers attacked a Russian fortress in
Crimea and forced its surrender.
Data as of May 1989
|
