Russian Colonial History

Russian colonial history primarily refers to the expansion of the Russian Empire from the 16th to the early 20th centuries. This expansion involved the annexation of vast territories in Siberia, Central Asia, and parts of Eastern Europe, often through military conquest and treaties. The empire sought resources, land, and new markets, leading to the displacement and assimilation of indigenous peoples. Unlike Western colonial powers, Russia’s focus was also on spreading Orthodoxy and Slavic culture. The legacy of this colonial history is complex, influencing modern geopolitics, ethnic tensions, and cultural identities in the post-Soviet space and beyond.