The Russian Empire

The Russian Empire was a multinational state that existed from 1721 to 1917, spanning much of Europe and Asia. It was ruled by an autocratic monarch, initially the Tsars, and later by the Emperors. The empire was formed by the expansion of the Tsardom of Russia, which was initially a small state in Eastern Europe, into a vast empire that included territories in Europe, Asia, and North America.

The Russian Empire was known for its vast territorial expansion, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, when it annexed large parts of Poland, Finland, and the Baltics, as well as territories in Central Asia and Siberia. The empire was also known for its strict social hierarchy, with a small nobility and upper class ruling over a large peasant population.

The Russian Empire was a major player in European and world politics, but it also faced significant internal challenges, such as poverty, inequality, and political repression. The empire began to unravel in the early 20th century, as a result of internal unrest, economic problems, and defeats in World War I. The Russian Empire officially came to an end in 1917, when Tsar Nicholas II was overthrown and the Soviet Union was established.