Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (abbreviation USSR), commonly known as the Soviet union, is superpower streching across Eastern Europe and parts of Asia.

The Soviet Union was established from the ruins of the Russian Empire. At that time, the last tsar, Nicholas II, was removed from office. It was clear to all that the empire had lost the great war, and a new low had reached the Russian people. The short-lived Russian Republic has failed to stabilize the situation. The Soviets managed to take control of the republic, and fought a bloody civil war with the white forces (those who remained loyal to the tsarist crown or the former republic). The victory of the Red army in the civil war changed the face of russian history forevermore. It became the first nation in the world to be governed on the basis of the communist ideology.

After Lenin's death, Bukharin took control of the USSR. With the disappearance of Stalin, Khrushchev, and other dissidents with significant political power, he secured control and became the undisputed leader of the country. Despite the difficulties of his new economic policy, the country has managed to stabilize itself in relative terms. During World War II, Nazi Germany launched Operation Barbarossa: the largest mechanized military invasion in human history. The Red Army suffered horrific casualties and was forced to retreat. Thanks to the immense personal heroism of countless anonymous soldiers, the genius of generals like Tukhachevsky, and the tremendous willingness to harness state resources with such unparalleled intensity not seen in the Axis countries it fought against or in the allied western powers, the Red Army turned an almost certain defeat into a crushing victory, and galloped to Berlin. The victory in World War II gave the country a huge sphere of influence throughout Europe, making it a superpower.