This website is part of The New York Public Library's Online Exhibition Archive. For current classes, programs, and exhibitions, please visit nypl.org.
Russia Engages the World, 1453-1825
1453 Through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533-1584) The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598-1682) Peter the Great and His Legacy (1682-1762) The Age of Catherine the Great (1762-1801) The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801-1825)

This chronology is not comprehensive but rather provides reference points for the history presented in Russia Engages the World, 1453–1825.

From the Fall of Constantinople (1453) through the Reign of Ivan the Terrible (1533–1584)

The Time of Troubles to the First Romanovs (1598–1682)

Peter the Great and his Legacy (1682–1762)

The Age of Catherine the Great (1762–1801)

The Reign of Emperor Alexander I (1801–1825)

The Rulers of Russia, 1425–1823

Russia's Globalization: A Key

Events marked Russia Symbol are specific to Muscovy/Russia's internal development. 
Those marked World Symbol are important world historical or cultural events.
Engagement Symbol indicates specific points of sociocultural or military engagement between Muscovy/Russia and foreign powers or individuals.


1801 Engagement Symbol Paul I (r. 1796–1801) sends a force of 20,000 soldiers to liberate India from British rule.
  Russia Symbol After Paul I is assassinated, Alexander I (r. 1801–25), Catherine's grandson, becomes emperor.
1803–6,
1815-18,
1817-19

Engagement Symbol Ivan Kruzenshtern, Otto von Kotzebue, and Vasilii Golovnin lead Russian-sponsored circumnavigations of the 1817–19 globe.
1803–10 Engagement Symbol Russia annexes Georgia.
1804 World Symbol Napoleon becomes Emperor of the France (r. 1804–1814/15). In 1812, he will invade Russia.
  Russia Symbol A system of universities and secondary schools (including St. Petersburg University, founded 1819) is created in the Russian Empire.
  Engagement Symbol Russia launches strikes against Persian forces in Central Asia.
  World Symbol The French Civil Code is issued.
1805 World Symbol Admiral Nelson's victory over the French fleet at Trafalgar secures England's place as the dominant world sea power.
1806–25  World Symbol The Latin American wars of independence are fought.
1807 World Symbol Slavery is abolished in the British Empire.
1808–9 Engagement Symbol Russia's annexes Finland, which becomes a Grand Duchy.
1812 Engagement Symbol Fort Ross, established along the coast of Northern California, represents the Russian Empire's easternmost reach.  The colony proves unprofitable and is sold to John Sutter in 1841.
1815 Engagement Symbol After the defeat of Napolean, the Congress of Vienna redraws the map of Europe.
1825  Russia Symbol The Decembrist revolt in Russia proves an unhappy inaugural to the reign of Nicholas I (r. 1825–55).