Belarus: A Country's History And Independence Timeline

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It has been an independent country since 1991, following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. However, its history dates back to the Stone Age, and over the centuries, its lands have been occupied by various regional powers, including Kievan Rus', the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the Russian Empire, and the Soviet Union.

Belarus was part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Kievan Rus' and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before becoming a constituent republic of the Soviet Union in 1922

Belarus has been a country in its own right since 1991, when it gained independence from the Soviet Union. However, the country has a long and complex history, having been part of various different states and empires over the centuries.

From the medieval period until the 20th century, the lands that now make up modern-day Belarus were controlled by a number of different powers, including Kievan Rus', the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire.

Kievan Rus'

In the 9th century, the territory of modern-day Belarus became part of Kievan Rus', a vast East Slavic state ruled by the Rurikids. Kievan Rus' was a loose federation of East Slavic and Finnic tribes, in which each tribe was ruled by its own chieftain. Following the death of its ruler, Yaroslav the Wise, in 1054, the state split into independent principalities.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania

In the 13th century, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania emerged as one of the most powerful states in medieval Europe. The Duchy was formed through alliances between various Slavonic duchies, including Polotsk, Turow, Pinsk, and Smolensk, and was ruled by Baltic tribes, including the Lithuanians and Yotvingians. The Duchy's heartland was located in modern-day Belarus, and its political, economic, and cultural life was governed by Belarusian and Lithuanian tribes. From the middle of the 14th century, the official language was Ruthenian, also known as Old Belarusian.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania was involved in numerous military campaigns and expanded its borders through conquest and annexation. In the 14th century, Grand Duke Gediminas extended the Duchy's borders, founding the new capital of Vilno, now known as Vilnius. Gediminas's son, Algirdas, continued the expansion, conquering the Russian territories of Smolensk, Briansk, Kaluga, and Oryol.

The Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth

In 1386, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland were joined in a personal union through the marriage of their rulers, Queen Jadwiga of Poland and Grand Duke Jogaila of Lithuania. This union eventually led to the formation of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in 1569.

The Commonwealth was a federative real union, with Poland acting as the dominant partner. The official languages were Polish and Latin, and Catholicism was the state religion. The union was marked by religious tolerance, with the Warsaw Confederation Act of 1573 guaranteeing freedom of worship. However, the process of Polonization gained momentum, and in 1696, Polish replaced Ruthenian as the official language.

The Soviet Union

In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution in 1917, different states arose, competing for legitimacy amid the Civil War. This ultimately led to the rise of the Byelorussian SSR, which became a founding constituent republic of the Soviet Union in 1922. Belarus remained a constituent republic of the Soviet Union until it gained independence in 1991.

The country was devastated by World War II, losing a quarter of its population and more than half of its economic resources

The country of Belarus has a long and tumultuous history, with its territory being fought over by various empires and kingdoms throughout the centuries. By the 20th century, the lands that now constitute Belarus were under the control of the Russian Empire.

During World War II, Belarus, situated between the warring powers of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union, suffered immense devastation and loss. The country was occupied by German forces from 1941 to 1944, enduring a brutal regime that sought to impose a "new order" based on terror.

The impact of the war on Belarus was catastrophic. Approximately 209 out of 290 towns and cities were destroyed, resulting in the loss of 85% of the country's industrial capacity and over a million buildings. The human toll was even more devastating, with Belarus losing about a quarter of its pre-war population, including a large proportion of its intellectual elite. The Jewish population was particularly affected, with almost the entire community being wiped out during the Holocaust.

In addition to the loss of human life, Belarus also suffered significant economic consequences. The country lost more than half of its economic resources, with industries, production plants, and infrastructure being removed or destroyed. The agricultural sector was also severely impacted, with food supplies being deliberately destroyed by the Soviet authorities before their retreat. As a result, Belarus experienced food shortages and famine during and after the war.

The war left a deep and lasting impact on Belarusian society. The partisan movement, which played a crucial role in resisting the German occupation, became an integral part of the country's national identity. Moreover, the experience of war and occupation shaped the country's political trajectory, with Belarus becoming a founding member of the United Nations and remaining under Soviet control until declaring its independence in 1991.

Belarus declared its sovereignty on July 27, 1990, and independence from the Soviet Union on August 25, 1991

Belarus has a long and complex history, with its territory being controlled by various states throughout the centuries. However, the country's independence can be traced back to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in the early 1990s.

On July 27, 1990, the parliament of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) proclaimed the sovereignty of Belarus, which was a key step towards independence from the Soviet Union. This declaration came amidst the political and social turmoil that followed the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the subsequent Civil War, which saw the rise of competing states in the region.

During this period, the BSSR underwent significant changes, including the implementation of Soviet-era policies such as state ownership of large sections of the economy. The country also experienced a devastating loss of life and economic resources during World War II, with Belarus losing about a quarter of its population and half of its economic resources.

On August 25, 1991, shortly after the failed August Coup in Moscow, Belarus took the decisive step of declaring full independence from the USSR. This was done by granting constitutional status to the Declaration of State Sovereignty, which had been previously adopted. This move signalled the end of Soviet rule and the birth of the Republic of Belarus.

The independence of Belarus was recognised by the United States on December 25, 1991, when President George H.W. Bush announced the decision during an address to the nation regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union. This marked the beginning of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The newly independent republic adopted its first constitution in 1994, paving the way for democratic elections. The first presidential election in Belarus was held in the same year, with Alexander Lukashenko being elected as the country's first president. Lukashenko has maintained a highly centralized and authoritarian government, often drawing criticism from Western countries for human rights violations and a lack of civil liberties.

Despite its independence, Belarus has maintained close ties with Russia, its dominant neighbour. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming for a politically integrated confederation. Belarus has also been a member of various international organisations, including the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Independent States, and the Collective Security Treaty Organization.

The country has been led by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994

Belarus has been led by authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, making him the longest-serving head of state in Europe. Lukashenko's rule has been marked by the suppression of dissent and the persecution of opponents, resulting in a climate of fear and repression. He has maintained a highly centralized government, with near-absolute control over government spending and the power to dismiss the Supreme Council. Lukashenko has also been accused of rigging elections, with international monitors deeming the results of every election since 1994 as unfair, except for his initial win.

Lukashenko's early economic policies aimed to prevent the issues that occurred in other post-Soviet states, such as mass unemployment and the establishment of oligarchic structures. He kept many industries under government control and maintained state ownership of key sectors, preventing the rise of oligarchy and sparing Belarus from recessions as devastating as those in other post-Soviet states. However, one major economic issue he faced was the value of the Belarusian ruble, which experienced several periods of devaluation.

Lukashenko has made several controversial statements during his presidency, including expressing antisemitic sentiments and making homophobic and misogynistic remarks. He has also been criticized for human rights violations, including torture, sexual abuse, and other forms of repression. International organizations and many Western countries do not recognize the current parliament, given the way it was formed through the consolidation of Lukashenko's power.

Lukashenko's relationship with Russia, once a powerful ally, has significantly deteriorated in recent years. His dependence on Russia has increased due to isolation from parts of the West, and he played a crucial role in creating the Union State of Russia and Belarus. However, tensions arose following the rise of Vladimir Putin to power and disagreements related to trade. Despite these tensions, Lukashenko's rule has been bolstered by his handling of the Wagner Group rebellion in 2023, where he negotiated with Yevgeny Prigozhin and Vladimir Putin to end the mutiny.

Lukashenko has also had a strained relationship with the European Union and the United States, with visa sanctions imposed on him and a range of Belarusian officials. The EU and the US have imposed additional sanctions in response to the forced diversion of a Ryanair flight in 2021 and Belarus's role in the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Belarus is the only European country that continues to use capital punishment

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. Belarus has a population of 9.1 million and covers an area of 207,600 square kilometres (80,200 sq mi).

The modern nation of Belarus came into existence following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. However, the territory that is now Belarus has a long and complex history, having been controlled by various states throughout the medieval period and the 20th century. These include Kievan Rus', the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire.

Since gaining independence, Belarus has retained close ties with Russia, its most dominant neighbour. In 1999, the two countries signed the Union State Foundation Treaty, aiming to create a politically integrated confederation with a common currency. Despite this, Belarus has no aspirations to join the European Union and maintains a highly centralized and authoritarian government, often described as "Europe's last dictatorship".

International organizations, such as the United Nations, have criticized the methods Belarus uses when carrying out capital punishment. The European Council has suggested that Belarus abolish capital punishment before applying for membership in the Council. Belarus's continued use of the death penalty is one factor keeping the country out of the Council of Europe.

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