History of Russia – Institute for the Study of Western Civilization

Russia is the largest country in the world, covering over 17 million square kilometers (6.6 million sq mi), and encompasses more than one-eighth of Earth's inhabited land area. It was created as a European national entity later than any other European nation. Both Italy and Germany formed officially into constitutionally unified nation only in the 19th century, but both had had a very clear identity for a thousand or more years. Not Russia. People begin to refer to Russia by the year 1000, but the first Tsar of Russia is crowned in 1547 ( Ivan the Terrible). During our Fall Quarter we will study Russia Before the Russians and learn about all the many invasions and settlements of so many different peoples (Mongols, etc.). In the Winter Quarter we will study the Russia of the Tsars: the Renaissance period up to the 19th century. Then during Spring Quarter, we will discuss Modern Russia: Dostoevsky, Tolstoy, Revolution.