IV.

History

In 1147, when Moscow began to feature in Russian history, it formed part of the principality of Suzdal; however, the date of its settlement is unknown. The development of the little village into a sprawling city dates from 1295, when it became the capital of the newly established principality of Moscow. Growth was especially rapid during the first half of the 14th century, a period marked by sharp expansion of the power and wealth of the principality. In 1325 the Metropolitan of the Russian Orthodox Church transferred his seat to Moscow, making the city the national religious capital. It became the national political capital during the reign (1462-1505) of Grand Duke Ivan III Vasilyevich, who unified the Russian principalities. The seat of the Russian government was removed from Moscow to St Petersburg in 1712.

Moscow has survived many disasters, including fires, plagues, riots, revolts, sieges, and foreign occupation. In September 1812, during the Napoleonic Wars, the city was occupied by the armies of Napoleon. Russian patriots set fire to the city soon after his entry, and the resultant French withdrawal from Russia contributed greatly to Napoleon's downfall. The Moscow populace figured significantly in the Revolution of 1905 and the October Revolution of 1917. In the latter year Moscow was made the Soviet capital. Large sections of the city were rebuilt and modernized after the Bolshevik victory. In December 1941, during World War II, powerful German armies were decisively repulsed at the approaches to Moscow. In 1991 the city was the hub of the discussions that led to the dissolution of the USSR. By the end of the 20th century Moscow became the leading city of the “new Russia”, reflecting sharp economic and social contrasts in the rapidly evolving state. In 1998 Moscow celebrated its 850th anniversary. Several terrorist attacks in the late 1990 and in 2000 demonstrated ethnic and political tensions that existed both internally and internationally.