What are facts about Russia before 1917?

Russia before 1917 was at times a vast nation that covered the area between the Pacific Ocean and the Baltic Sea. many peoples other than Russians lived there. The history of Russia is fascinating. Important facts about it make for an amazing history.

Historians begin the history of what the world now calls the Russian Federation in the 13th century. By the middle of that century, forces of the Mongol empire invade Russia and destroy its major cities. In that time period, a people known as Tartars establish the Golden empire in Southern Russia. From that point on the Russia most familiar to laymen begin to gauge and see the history of a more modern Russia. Therefore the next phase of Russian facts can be summarized by the following:

* By the middle of the 16th century, Ivan the Terrible, conquers the Tartars, and established a kingdom of Russia;

* At the end of the 16th century, Siberia is invaded by Cossacks;

* At the beginning of the 17th century, a familiar historic name comes into play, the Romanov family;

* In 1613, a group of Nobles confers the title of Tsar upon Michael Romanov. His family is to rule Russia to 1917;

* During the years between the late 17th century and the early part of 18th century, Peter the Great begins a reformation in order to model Russia in line with the Western European Powers;

* Between 1772 and 1814, Russian armies acquire the well known Crimea, Georgia, Ukraine and Belarus among other areas such as part of Poland;

* During this approximate time period, Russia becomes involved with the Western European wars with Napoleonic France;

* Napoleon's invasion of Russia is repulsed in 1812;

* At the time of the beginning of the US Civil War, Russia ends serfdom and a period of modernization begins;

* Near the end of the 19th century Russia has a war with Turkey;

* In the first few years of the 20th century Japan defeats Russia in the Russo -Japanese War;

* Russia enters WW I in 1914 on the side of the Allies led by Great Britain and France; and

* In 1917, the Tsar is overthrown by a provisional government, then however, this regime is overthrown by the Bolsheviks ( Communists ) and as per a deal with Germany, Russia pulls out of WWI.