Russia 2005 CE
The Soviet Union has now been replaced by a group of newly-independent countries.
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What is happening in Russia in 2005CE
In the 1960’s the Cold War with the USA and its allies remained intense, and after a few years of thawing relations, a renewed – and unaffordable – arms race with the USA, coupled with economic stagnation and a disastrous invasion of Afghanistan, undermined the Soviet Union’s morale. Finally, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985. He pursued policies of ‘glasnost’, liberalising public life, and ‘perestroika’, economic restructuring.
The reform movement that Gorbachev initiated gathered pace under his successor, Boris Yeltsin. The Communist Party was disbanded, and the constituent republics of the Soviet Union declared their independence. A whole host of new nations appeared on the map. The western-most of these, the Baltic States, welcome democracy and are themselves welcomed into the EU and NATO. Other ex-Soviet states have retained authoritiarian regimes.
The sudden introduction of a market economy to Russia led to severe economic contraction and social stress, but in recent years the huge country has been set on a path to economic and social recovery.
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What else is happening in the rest of the world...
France history 750CE
The Kingdom of the Franks now covers all of the old Roman region of Gaul.
Spain and Portugal history 750CE
Muslim forces from North Africa have conquered most of present-day Spain and Portugal.
Britain history 750CE
A collection of Anglo-Saxon kingdoms now covers most of present-day England, and the rest of the British Isles is home to numerous Celtic tribes and kingdoms
Italy history 750CE
In Italy, long wars have caused massive destruction, and the peninsula is now divided between the Lombards and Byzantines
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