Welcome to Russian History Retold.

Episode 325, Russian Colonialism and Imperialism.

Last time, we discussed the Raskol, the one true schism within the Russian Orthodox Church.

Today, we will cover a somewhat controversial topic in Russia, Russian colonialism and imperialism,

and whether it ever existed or not.

Now, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin and foreign minister Sergei Lavrov,

Russia has never been involved in colonialism, as was the case with most European and

Western nations.

Others have cited with Russia's long-term history of both

colonialism and imperialism. Based on my research, today's Russian leadership is not on the right

side of history with its position. Before we get into that, we have to define what colonialism and imperialism are and how they

differ. Colonialism is defined as direct territorial control and settlement, exploiting resources

and labor and imposing its culture on those over whom it has gained power.

Imperialism is a broader concept that can include indirect control through economic,

political, or cultural influence. Another way of putting it is,

imperialism is the idea of dominating other countries, while colonialism is the practice of establishing settlements in those countries.

It would be impossible to deny Russia being imperialistic, given its expansionism through its long history. I would also argue that it did

have a colonialist background as well, especially if you look at what it did when it controlled

what is now Alaska. The growth of the country that encompassed Russia, beginning with Kivian Rus, the Muscovite expansion,

Imperial Russia, and the Soviet Union were through imperialism and colonialism.

Some argue that Russia expanded beyond its borders, unlike the Western European powers that took over parts of Asia,

Africa, and the Western Hemisphere. They point out that Russia had no colonies in Africa. Ah,

...