Give the answers to the questions below.
When did the East Slavs emerge?
What was the first East Slavic state?
Who were the founders of Kievan Rus'?
What was the source of Russian Christianity?
What was the result of Kievan Rus' disintegration?
By what time has Russia become the Russian Empire?
Complete the following sentences using the contents of the text.
1. East Slavs emerged as a recognizable group in Europe … .
2. Kievan Rus' was … .
3. It was founded and ruled by … starting from 9th century.
4. Kievan Rus' adopted Christianity from … .
5. Moscow was … .
6. Gradually Moscow reunified … and … the cultural and political legacy of … .
7. By the 18th century the nation … to become the Russian Empire.
Vocabulary Training
14. Read the following words and word combinations:
cede – уступить
Ingria – Инжора
Serfdom – крепостное право
Alexander the Blessed – Александр Благословенный
Spur – побуждать
Enact – определять, вводить, устанавливать, узаконивать
Aggravate – обострять, усугублять
Downfall – падение
Say that in English making use of the text below.
Петр Великий, официально провозгласить, мировая держава, доступ к морю, заставить уступить, при правлении династии Романовых, в союзе с Пруссией, Екатерина Великая, наследник Николая, повсеместное существование крепост-ного права.
Reading
Skim the text and define the general message of this text.
Peter the Great officially proclaimed the existence of the Russian Empire in 1721. Under the Romanov dynasty and Peter I (Peter the Great), the Russian Empire became a world power. Ruling from 1682 to 1725, Peter defeated Sweden in the Great Northern War. He forced it to cede West Karelia and Ingria – the two regions lost by Russia in the Time of Troubles, Estland, and Livland. That secured Russia's access to the sea and sea trade. It was in Ingria that Peter founded a new capital, Saint Petersburg.
Catherine II (Catherine the Great) ruled from 1762 to 1796 and continued the efforts to establish Russia as one of the Great Powers of Europe.
In alliance with Prussia and Austria, Russia stood against Napoleon's France in the reign of Alexander I (1777–1825)(Alexander the Blessed).
The prevalence of serfdom and the conservative policies of Nicolas I (1796–1855) impeded the development of Russia in the mid-nineteenth century.
Nicholas's successor Alexander II (reign: 1855–1881) enacted significant reforms, including the abolition of serfdom in 1861. These "Great Reforms" spurred industrialization. However, many socio-economic conflicts were aggravated during Alexander III’s reign and under his son, Nicholas II. Those conflicts as well as World War I brought the Russian monarchy to its downfall.
Work with your desk-mate and decide on the best title to the text above.
Speech Practice
Give the answers to the questions below.
Who proclaimed the Russian Empire?
What way did Russia get access to the sea?