How to read recent history
Recent history is close to us, so people still disagree about it. A good student first writes down facts (dates, laws, numbers, events) and then keeps opinions separate. Check each claim in at least two different sources. This lesson gives facts and neutral labels only.
Domestic policy
After the unstable 1990s the state tried to make the system more orderly.
- 2000: the regions were grouped into 7 federal districts with a presidential envoy in each, to check that regional laws match federal law. An 8th district (North Caucasus) was added in 2010.
- 2001: a flat 13% income tax replaced a ladder of rates.
- 2005: national projects in health, education, housing and farming were launched; they were reorganised in 2019.
- 2008: the president's term changed from 4 to 6 years (from the 2012 election) and the Duma's from 4 to 5 years.
- 2020: a nationwide vote on amendments to the Constitution of 1993.
The economy
From 2000 to 2008 the economy grew most years, often by 5 to 10 per cent. High world prices of oil and gas, which are Russia's main exports, brought money; incomes, building and shopping grew. Then:
- 2009: the world financial crisis, the economy fell by about 8 per cent.
- 2014 to 2015: oil prices fell sharply and sanctions were introduced, the rouble lost value and the economy shrank by about 2 per cent in 2015.
- 2020: the pandemic made it shrink by about 3 per cent; 2021 brought a recovery.
Economists note that a country that sells mostly raw materials depends on world prices, so it tries to build more industries and services (diversification).
Culture and sport
Large sport events came to many cities: the 2013 Universiade in Kazan, the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and the 2018 FIFA World Cup in 11 cities. They left new stadiums, railways, roads and airports, and many volunteers gained experience. In culture, theatres, museums, ballet, cinema, music and literature kept their traditions; new film festivals, digital libraries and online museums spread, and people could see them from far away.
Foreign policy (neutral period labels)
We use only neutral labels here.
- 2001: the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was founded with China and four Central Asian states.
- 2009: first summit of the BRIC group (later BRICS) of large economies.
- 2012: Russia joined the World Trade Organization (WTO).
- From 2014: a period of tense relations and sanctions between Russia and several other states.
The reasons and results of the tense period are explained differently in different countries. Compare official texts, news and expert studies before you form your own view.
Try it
In the 3D above, step 5, move the year slider from 2000 to 2021 and write down the three best years and the three worst years for the economy. Then ask an adult in your family: "What was daily life like in the year 2000? What changed most?" Write three facts and one opinion, and mark which is which.
Key formulas and definitions
- Key years: 2000 federal districts; 2001 SCO; 2005 national projects; 2008 term changed to 6 years; 2009 crisis year; 2012 WTO; 2013 Universiade; 2014 Sochi; 2018 World Cup; 2020 vote on amendments
- New value = old value × (1 + growth ÷ 100)
- Fact = can be checked in sources; opinion = a judgement
Worked examples
1. In which years did Russia host the Universiade, the Winter Olympics and the FIFA World Cup?
The Universiade in Kazan in 2013, the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014, and the FIFA World Cup in 11 cities in 2018.
2. Why did the economy grow so fast between 2000 and 2008?
World prices for oil and gas, Russia's main exports, were high, so a lot of money came in. This raised incomes, building and shopping. When prices fell (2009, 2015) or the world crisis came, growth stopped.
3. How many federal districts were there in 2000 and in 2010?
7 in 2000; an 8th, North Caucasus, was added in 2010.
4. An economy index was 100 in 2000. It grew 10.0% in 2000 and 5.1% in 2001. What is the index after 2001?
After 2000: 100 × 1.10 = 110. After 2001: 110 × 1.051 = 115.6 (about).
5. The index is 100 at the end of 2007. It grows 5.2% in 2008 and falls 7.8% in 2009. Find the value at the end of 2009.
2008: 100 × 1.052 = 105.2. 2009: 105.2 × (1 − 0.078) = 105.2 × 0.922 = 96.99, about 97.0. So the economy was a little smaller than two years earlier.
6. Mark each statement as a fact or an opinion: (a) "Russia joined the WTO in 2012." (b) "The 2014 Olympics were the best ever."
(a) is a fact: you can check the date in sources. (b) is an opinion: "best" is a judgement and people may disagree.
Common mistakes
- Mixing up the order of events. Remember: 2000 districts, 2008 crisis, 2012 WTO, 2013 Kazan, 2014 Sochi, 2018 World Cup.
- Adding percentages in a wrong way. Falling 7.8% after growing 5.2% does not cancel out: multiply 1.052 × 0.922.
- Writing opinions as facts. Say "was criticised by" or "was praised by" and name who said it.
- Using only one source for recent events. Compare at least two sources from different sides.