Peter the Great
Introduced Western technology, science, engineering, culture, architecture and carpentry to Russia in an attempt to increase the power and influence of Russia.
Indirectly created the Westernizer vs. Slavophile cleavage.
Indirectly created the Westernizer vs. Slavophile cleavage.
Catherine the Great
Hailed from Germany
Promoted Westernization after Peter the Great
Managed to gain access to the Black Sea for trade.
Promoted Westernization after Peter the Great
Managed to gain access to the Black Sea for trade.
Vladimir Lenin
Changed the application of Marxism by adding democratic centralism to the concept.
Led the Bolsheviks to take over the government in 1917 (forming the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
By 1918 a war broke out between Lenin (the Red Army) and Russian military leaders (the White Army). The Red Army won.
Began his New Economic Policy in 1920, allowing private ownership to exist under centralized leadership.
Died before he could name a successor in 1924.
Led the Bolsheviks to take over the government in 1917 (forming the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics).
By 1918 a war broke out between Lenin (the Red Army) and Russian military leaders (the White Army). The Red Army won.
Began his New Economic Policy in 1920, allowing private ownership to exist under centralized leadership.
Died before he could name a successor in 1924.
Joseph Stalin
Altered Lenin’s idea of democratic centralism
Gave the Communist Party complete power over the state
Implemented Stalinism (collectivism and industrialism planned by a centralist government and implemented with force).
Best known for his five-year-plans and purges (which killed millions).
Died in 1953
Gave the Communist Party complete power over the state
Implemented Stalinism (collectivism and industrialism planned by a centralist government and implemented with force).
Best known for his five-year-plans and purges (which killed millions).
Died in 1953
Nikita Khruschev
Denounced the totalitarian policies and purges of Stalin
Oversaw the beginning of de-Stalinization
Criticized for his leadership and "poor" handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Oversaw the beginning of de-Stalinization
Criticized for his leadership and "poor" handling of the Cuban Missile Crisis
Mikhail Gorbachev
Took office in 1985
More open to Western style reforms
3-part reform plan: glasnost, perestroika and democratization
Failed to complete his reforms due to the Revolution of 1991
Last leader of the USSR
More open to Western style reforms
3-part reform plan: glasnost, perestroika and democratization
Failed to complete his reforms due to the Revolution of 1991
Last leader of the USSR
Boris Yeltsin
First leader of the Russian Federation
Led protestors who were against the Revolution of 1991
Implemented "shock therapy" (sudden shift to a capitalist market) in Russia
Tended to argue bitterly with the Duma
Led protestors who were against the Revolution of 1991
Implemented "shock therapy" (sudden shift to a capitalist market) in Russia
Tended to argue bitterly with the Duma
Vladimir Putin
Won the 2000 election
Former KGB agent
Head of United Russia Party
Tends to hold the most power regardless of his position in government
Former KGB agent
Head of United Russia Party
Tends to hold the most power regardless of his position in government