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Updated April 8, 2002

The Empire that was Russia - Grades 4-12 - This is a truly extraordinary collection of images of Russia during the period 1900-1915. The photographer's techniques enabled the Library of Congress to recreate high quality, full-color images of 100 year old scenes that look as though they were taken yesterday. Though the site has a wealth of technical information, the images themselves will be most useful to teachers. The site includes numerous buildings that were destroyed during the Russian revolution of 1917.

Russia at the Turn of the Millennium is the title of an article by Russian Prime Minister and president Vladimir Putin in which he discusses the changes and challenges that Russia will face if it is to thrive in the new century. It's an unusually direct look at a man who has been unknown in the west until very recently. This would be a great first-hand source for a secondary social studies discussion on Russia or Europe.

The Russian Government Web Site was launched on December 27, 1999. It's brand new, and while this link takes you to an English opening page, when we tried it the table of contents was still in Russian - making navigation a challenge. This is one to bookmark for the future, though.

Russia - Historic Images - Grades 6-12 - This site from the California Museum of Photography presents a collection of photos taken 1895-1910 in Russia. It would be useful as a supplementary resource for student research on Russia during this period, and would also make a nice introduction to the use of archival images as primary source material.

The Russian Studies Page - Grades 6 and up - This is a beautifully-designed, extensive site created at Bucknell University. It covers all aspects of Russian History and culture. The site uses artwork and music extensively, and it provides both thematic and chronological explanations of major events in Russian History. While some elements will work well for middle school students, there is plenty of solid information for upper grades as well. Not to be missed!

Time Line for Russia and Eastern Europe - Grades 6-12 - This site, part of the Web Chron series, offers a brief listing of major events in Russian and eastern European history. While its chronological scope is far beyond most secondary curricula, it includes major 19th and 20th century events, and provides links to additional information on selected items.

The Kremlin - A Historical Tour - Grades 6 and up - This Russian produced site offers a tour of the seat of Russia's government, once a sixteenth century fortress. There are extensive photos of the buildings inside the Kremlin, along with short narrative explaining the role they have played in Russia's history over the past 400 years.

Moscow Online - Grades 6 and up - This site, developed in part by the Moscow tourism bureau, offers a glimpse of some of the city's most famous landmarks, and a very complete section on the Kremlin. There are also sections dealing with life in the city and cultural events. Could be useful for cultural or historical research.

The Meeting of Frontiers - Grades 9-12 - This site from the Library of Congress compares the settlement of the American west with the Russian migration and expansion eastward, and highlights the meeting of the Russian and American frontiers in the Alaskan wilderness. Developed in both English and Russian, the site covers a half dozen major topic areas, offering combinations of narrative and archival images. This is a "compare and contrast" study that students don't frequently encounter, and it could be an interesting sidebar to discussions of either the American west or the history of Russia in the 19th century.

The Russian Revolution - Teachers • Grades 9-12 - This site from Fordham University offers a college-level treatment of the Russian Revolution and the personalities and factions which contributed to the political turmoil. Using a combination of on-site and metasite resources, the author's treatment allows users to follow the narrative at varying levels of depth. This site could be useful for teachers preparing a Western Civilization survey, or for AP students working on a research project.

Russia - An Interactive Learning Exhibit - Grades 6 and up - History and images. This site is part of the Annenberg learning series. It presents a basic survey of Russian history through the fall of the communist system. Students could easily use this site on their own.

Anastasia - In Internet Adventure - Grades 6 and up - Combines a history of Czarist Russia with a search for the Romanov jewels. Great graphics and engaging design for students.

St. Petersburg in Pictures - Grade 4 and up - This is a Russian-produced site showing sights in St. Petersburg. Quality is uneven, but it's authentic.

Welcome to the New Russia - This site is designed for tourists, and contains lots of good basic information on Russia. Colorful graphics and an easy-to-follow layout allow you to virtually explore Moscow, St. Petersburg, the Trans-Siberian Railway or the main waterways. You’ll also find links to Russian history, art, architecture, and other interesting facts. Click on "The Gazeteer" for a summary of Russia today, or follow the "Activities" link to find out about wildlife preservation of the Siberian tiger.

Welcome to Little Russia in San Antonio, Texas - Two Russian natives who now work at the University of Texas designed this well-rounded page that offers something for every taste. You will find links to all things Russian – computer games, art and literature, recipes, jokes, music, and more. There is also a "Russian Attractions" section that includes architecture discussions of buildings in St. Petersburg and, of course, Moscow. Scroll to the bottom of the list and click on "General information" if you’re looking for present geographical, administrative, environmental, political or economic information.

Samples of Greetings in Russian - This is a simple site that has recorded greetings and farewells in Russian, along with the various translations in English. The phrases are set up in chart form, which include a column that comments on whether the phrase is formal, informal, and other helpful tips. An easy way to get an idea of the Russian language if you haven’t heard it.

European History: Understanding Russian Icons - Painting saints and religious themes on wood is the most distinctive art form of old Russia Called "icons," they were painted to inspire reflection and self-examination. Today, they are recognized as beautiful works of art by historians and collectors. This interesting and informative article discusses the different types of icons, how they were made, and the scenes they depict.

Face to Face with the Czars - For the history buff, this site offers everything you want to know about the Romanov Dynasty, from 1613 to its end in 1917. Click on different dates in the timeline to see all of royal Russia, from Mikhail Feodorovich to Nicholas II. There are pictures of each ruler, as well as a succinct biography, complete with links to a glossary of terms. Even those who aren't as enthralled with history will enjoy reading about the more uncommon rulers such as Catherine the Great – she used to correspond with Voltaire, you know.

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