Russian Rulers Photo Gallery and related media
Russian Rulers
Ivan the Terrible
Ivan IV presided over a rapidly growing Russian empire, and in 1547 became the first ruler to be crowned Czar. Prone to instability, he often quarreled with the noble boyar class and accidentally killed his own son and heir in a violent outburst.
Related Photo Galleries (2)
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Russian Rulers
Russian Rulers(18 Photos)
18 Photos
From the Romanovs to Revolution and beyond, discover the rulers and politicians behind Russia's tumultuous history.
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Communist Leaders
Communist Leaders(12 Photos)
12 Photos
During the 20th century, the worldwide spread of communism took many different forms under the direction of each country's leadership.
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Cuban Missile Crisis
Cuban Missile CrisisVideo Clip (2:22)
Video Clip (2:22)
Get the story of the dramatic face-off that nearly ended in nuclear war, as told by musician and artist Jeffrey Lewis.
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Joseph Stalin
Joseph StalinVideo Clip (2:20)
Video Clip (2:20)
For nearly 30 years, the Soviet Union is controlled by this ruthless tyrant, who sends millions to their death.
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Kennedy and the Cuban Missile Crisis
Kennedy and the Cuban Missile CrisisVideo Clip (2:38)
Video Clip (2:38)
President Kennedy avoided nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis and gained the trust of the nation.
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JFK's Road to the White House
JFK's Road to the White HouseVideo Clip (3:43)
Video Clip (3:43)
John F. Kennedy sets his sights on the White House.
Related Speeches & Audio (9)
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Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I Treaty
Bush and Gorbachev Sign the START I TreatyAudio Clip (2:25)
Audio Clip (2:25)
On July 31, 1991, the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty was signed in Moscow by U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, committing each superpower to reducing nuclear arms by a third. In a press conference held at the Kremlin, President Bush discusses the economic cooperation implicit in the peace negotiations.
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Ford's Address at the Helsinki Conference
Ford's Address at the Helsinki ConferenceAudio Clip (1:54)
Audio Clip (1:54)
On August 1, 1975, at the Helsinki Accords, a major diplomatic agreement was signed by 35 nations, including the United States and the Soviet Union, in an attempt to secure peace between the eastern and western blocs. In a speech delivered at the Finland conference, President Gerald Ford promises to do his part for the good of all nations.
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Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold War
Bush and Gorbachev Declare End of Cold WarAudio Clip (1:45)
Audio Clip (1:45)
President George H. W. Bush and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev declared an end to the Cold War at the Malta Summit on December 3, 1989. At a joint press conference aboard the Soviet passenger liner Maxim Gorky in Marsaxlokk Harbor, President Bush speaks about his hopes for a cooperative U.S.-Soviet relationship.
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Russia Has A-Bomb
Russia Has A-BombAudio Clip (0:56)
Audio Clip (0:56)
In the January 5, 1951, episode of Edward R. Murrow's Hear It Now radio broadcast, Atomic Energy Commissioner Gordon Deane fields questions from reporters about Russia's possession of the atomic bomb.
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U.S.-Soviet Tension Builds
U.S.-Soviet Tension BuildsAudio Clip (2:32)
Audio Clip (2:32)
On February 28, 1946, Secretary of State James Byrnes addresses the Overseas Press Club to discuss the purposes of the United Nations. In his speech, Byrnes makes an indirect reference to the Soviet Union when he declares that the United States is prepared to "act to prevent aggression."
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U.S. and U.S.S.R. Tussle Over Germany
U.S. and U.S.S.R. Tussle Over GermanyAudio Clip (2:38)
Audio Clip (2:38)
Upon his return from commanding U.S. occupation forces in Germany, Gen. Lucius Clay holds a press conference on May 17, 1949, and fields questions about the growing tension between the United States and the Soviets over the division of Germany.
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The Eisenhower Doctrine
The Eisenhower DoctrineAudio Clip (1:01)
Audio Clip (1:01)
In order to suppress growing Soviet influence in the Middle East following the Suez Crisis of 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower appears before a joint session of Congress on January 5, 1957, to present a policy that will become known as the Eisenhower Doctrine. It holds that the United States would be authorized to provide military assistance "to secure and protect the territorial integrity" of any nations threatened by international communism.
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Eisenhower Weighs Chance for Peace in the Cold War
Eisenhower Weighs Chance for Peace in the Cold WarAudio Clip (3:40)
Audio Clip (3:40)
On April 16, 1953, after the death of Russian Premier Joseph Stalin, President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers what is known as his “Cross of Iron” speech before the American Society for Newspaper Editors, contrasting the philosophies of the Soviet Union and the United States.
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Reagan Announces "Star Wars"
Reagan Announces "Star Wars"Audio Clip (1:39)
Audio Clip (1:39)
On March 23, 1983, in what later became known as his "Star Wars" speech, President Ronald Reagan announces his plans to develop an anti-missile capability to counter the threat of Soviet ballistic missiles and to make these nuclear weapons "impotent and obsolete."
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