What happened in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union?

How did we get from there to where we are today?

We start with Yeltsin becoming the first Prime Minister of Russia... and end with Putin.
🧵⬇️ Coming into power, Yeltsin had to work out how he was going to bring about the wide-scale economic changes he had promised.

The country was running out of food. Something needed to be done, and fast.

Yeltsin eventually turned to Yegor Gaidar's economic 'shock therapy'.

On 21st February, Vladimir Putin declared that Ukraine was entirely created by Russia.

The truth is, of course, rather different.

Although Russia and Ukraine have an interlinked history, a distinct Ukrainian national sensibility is centuries-old.

Here’s the history:

🇺🇦 🧵 ⬇️ 1/ The land on which Ukraine is now situated is cited as far back as Herodotus, but the foundations of the modern state lie with the Vikings.

Viking expansion and dynastic conflict led to the formation of Kyivan Rus’ around the 9th century.

Yesterday we released our episode on History's MOST DISASTROUS parties.

Here's the countdown from 5 to 1 (see yesterday's thread for 10-6).

Thread 🧵 5: History's best (worst) host

In an era where Roman Emperors were known for partying as much as actual ruling, the fact that Elagabalus was the most riotous of them all says a lot.

Surprising guests with lions, asphyxiating them with petals -he certainly was a 'massive lad'.

Ever wondered why America is so devoutly and consistently religious?

Or why George Bush described the American 'War on Terror' as a 'crusade'?

Well, the roots begin with the founding of the American nation, almost 250 years ago:

THREAD 🧵⬇️ 1/ One Nation Under God
From the foundation of the American nation in 1776, religion pervades the mindset of the founding fathers.

As they sought to expand and consolidate, they take on a Christianising and 'crusading' mentality to justify their wars against indigenous peoples.