Belarus' Historical Journey: From Past To Present

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. The history of Belarus dates back to the Stone Age, with the first signs of settlements in ancient Belarus dating back some 250,000 BC. The country has been occupied by various empires, including the Russian Empire, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union.

During the Middle Ages, the lands of modern-day Belarus were split between different regional principalities, including Polotsk, Turov, Vitebsk, and others. Following the Mongol invasions of the 13th century, these lands were absorbed by the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, which later merged into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th century.

After the partitions of Poland in the 18th century, Belarusian territories became part of the Russian Empire. In the aftermath of the Russian Revolution, different states arose, competing for legitimacy amid the Russian Civil War, ultimately ending with the consolidation of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic, which became a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922.

Belarus suffered devastating losses during World War II, with a quarter of its pre-war population perishing in the conflict. The country became an independent state in 1991 following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Since then, it has been led by the authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko, who has maintained close ties with Russia and continued several Soviet-era policies.

Belarus was occupied by the Russian Empire in the 18th century

Belarus has a long history of human settlement, with the first signs of settlements in ancient Belarus dating back to around 250,000 BC. The country's history is closely tied to the East Slavs, who settled in the region between the 6th and 8th centuries. Over the centuries, various states and empires controlled the lands of modern-day Belarus, including Kievan Rus', the Principality of Polotsk, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and the Russian Empire.

In the 18th century, following the partitions of Poland, Belarusian territories became part of the Russian Empire. This marked a significant period in the country's history, as it came under the rule of a powerful neighbouring empire. Here is a more detailed look at the occupation of Belarus by the Russian Empire during this time:

Russian Rule and the Rise of Nationalism:

Belarus was incorporated into the Russian Empire in the late 18th century, following the partitions of Poland. This period saw the imposition of Russian administration and policies aimed at assimilating the local population. The territory of Belarus was divided into governorates, including Minsk, Vitebsk, Mogilev, and Grodno. While the region experienced some economic growth and industrialization, national cultures were repressed, and policies of Russification were implemented.

Resistance and Uprisings:

The Belarusian people resisted Russian rule through various uprisings and rebellions. Notable examples include the revolt under Tadeusz Kosciuszko in 1794 and the Great Rebellion, headed by Kastus Kalinowski (also known as Kastus Kalinovski), in 1863-1864. These uprisings sought to regain independence and resist the imposition of Russian culture and Orthodoxy.

World War I and the Path to Independence:

During World War I, Belarusian territory became a battleground between German and Russian forces, resulting in heavy casualties and destruction. In the aftermath of the war and the Russian Revolution of 1917, the Belarusian People's Republic declared independence in March 1918, but it was short-lived as German and Soviet forces competed for control. The Soviet Socialist Republic of Byelorussia was established in 1919, followed by the creation of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic (BSSR) in 1922, which became a founding republic of the Soviet Union.

In conclusion, the occupation of Belarus by the Russian Empire in the 18th century had a significant impact on the country's history. It led to resistance and nationalist movements, shaping the path towards eventual independence. The Russian influence during this period left a lasting mark on the cultural, political, and social landscape of Belarus, contributing to the complex and tumultuous history of the nation.

The country declared independence from Nazi Germany in 1918

Belarus has a long and complex history that dates back to the Stone Age. The country has been occupied and controlled by various empires and states throughout its history, including the Russian Empire, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union.

In the early 20th century, Belarus was a part of the Russian Empire. Following the Russian Revolution in 1917 and the country's exit from World War I in 1918, Belarus declared its independence and formed the Belarusian People's Republic on March 25, 1918. However, this independence was short-lived as the country was soon forcibly absorbed into the Soviet Union by the Bolsheviks.

During World War II, Belarus was occupied by Nazi Germany from 1941 to 1944. The German occupation resulted in devastating losses for the country, with more than two million people killed and massive destruction of cities, villages, and infrastructure. The Belarusian population suffered immensely, with a quarter of its pre-war population lost during the war.

The Byelorussian SSR, which was a founding member of the United Nations and the Soviet Union, played a significant role in the anti-Nazi resistance movement during the war. This movement dominated politics in the region until the 1970s and contributed to the transformation of Belarus from an agrarian to an industrial economy.

In 1990, the parliament of the Byelorussian SSR proclaimed the sovereignty of Belarus, and on August 25, 1991, the country gained independence from the Soviet Union during its dissolution. Since then, Belarus has been a sovereign nation, although it has continued to face political and economic challenges, including strained relations with Western countries due to concerns over human rights and electoral practices.

The Byelorussian SSR was a founding member of the UN in 1945

The Byelorussian SSR was a founding member of the United Nations in 1945, along with the Ukrainian SSR. This was part of a deal with the United States to ensure a degree of balance in the General Assembly, which, the USSR opined, was unbalanced in favour of the Western Bloc. In effect, this provided the Soviet Union (a permanent Security Council member with veto powers) with another two votes in the General Assembly.

The Byelorussian SSR was also a founding member of the Soviet Union in 1922, along with the Ukrainian SSR, the Transcaucasian SFSR, and the Russian SFSR. The Byelorussian SSR was ruled by the Communist Party of Byelorussia, a branch of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

The history of the Byelorussian SSR is as follows:

• The Byelorussian SSR was formed in July 1920.
• In 1921, the contested lands were divided between Poland and the Soviet Union after the Polish-Soviet War (1918-1921).
• In 1922, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
• In 1939, the Soviet Union invaded and occupied eastern Poland, following the German invasion of Poland two weeks earlier. The territories of Western Belorussia were annexed and incorporated into the Byelorussian SSR.
• In 1941, Nazi Germany invaded the Soviet Union. The Byelorussian SSR was the hardest-hit Soviet republic in World War II; it remained under German occupation until 1944.
• In 1945, the Byelorussian SSR became a founding member of the United Nations and the Soviet Union.
• In 1990, the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian SSR declared sovereignty over Soviet laws.
• In 1991, the Byelorussian SSR declared independence and was renamed the Republic of Belarus. It was a signatory, along with Russia and Ukraine, of the Belovezha Accords, which replaced the Soviet Union with the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Belarus became independent from the Soviet Union in 1991

Belarus, officially the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It became independent from the Soviet Union on 25 August 1991, following the dissolution of the USSR.

Belarus had been under the control of the Soviet Union since the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. After the revolution, several states arose, competing for legitimacy, which ultimately led to the formation of the Byelorussian SSR, a founding constituent republic of the Soviet Union.

During World War II, Belarus was occupied by Nazi Germany until it was retaken by Stalin's Russia in 1944. The country remained under Soviet control until 27 July 1990, when the parliament of the republic proclaimed its sovereignty.

On 25 August 1991, Belarus gained its independence from the Soviet Union during the dissolution. The country's first presidential election was held in 1994, and Alexander Lukashenko was elected as the first president. Lukashenko has maintained an authoritarian government and has been criticised for human rights violations and persecution of non-governmental organisations, independent journalists, national minorities, and opposition politicians.

The United States recognised Belarus's independence on 25 December 1991, when President George H.W. Bush announced the decision in an address regarding the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

The country has been ruled by Lukashenko since 1994

Belarus has been ruled by Alexander Lukashenko since 1994, making him the longest-serving head of state in Europe. Lukashenko was elected in the country's first and only free election after independence, and has since ruled as an authoritarian leader.

Lukashenko's early economic policies aimed to prevent the issues that occurred in other post-Soviet states, such as the establishment of oligarchic structures and mass unemployment. He kept many industries under government control, and the country's economy has been touted as the "Belarusian economic miracle". However, critics argue that the Belarusian economy is an outdated centralised system that has not succeeded elsewhere in the region and is incompatible with neighbouring economies.

Lukashenko has consolidated power through a series of referendums, which have allowed him to prolong and abolish term limits, as well as increase his own power. He has near-absolute rule over Belarus, controlling the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the government. Lukashenko appoints and dismisses ministers, local administrators, and judges, and has the power to dissolve parliament.

Under Lukashenko, Belarus has continued several Soviet-era policies, including state ownership of large sections of the economy. The country has been labelled as "not free" by Freedom House, and ranks low in international measurements of freedom of the press and civil liberties. Lukashenko has been labelled by the media as "Europe's last dictator", and international monitors have not regarded Belarusian elections as free and fair since his initial win.

Lukashenko's rule has been marked by a focus on agricultural development, shifting relations with Moscow, and tension in relations with the West. He has maintained close ties with Russia, and played a crucial role in creating the Union State of Russia and Belarus. However, his relationship with Russia has significantly deteriorated in recent years, and he has been accused of sacrificing the lives of his people by denying the threat of COVID-19.

Lukashenko's early political career began as director of a state farm, and he served in the Soviet Border Troops and the Soviet Army. He was elected to the Supreme Soviet of the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic in 1990, and assumed the position of head of the interim anti-corruption committee of the Supreme Council of Belarus following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. Lukashenko won the presidency in the country's inaugural presidential election in 1994 after the adoption of a new constitution.

Lukashenko is referred to as "Batska" ("father") by his supporters, and opponents have referred to him as "Sasha 3%", based on their belief that he is only supported by 3% of the Belarusian population.

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