About Belarus

Belarus, officially known as the Republic of Belarus, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe. It is bordered by Russia to the east and northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest. With a total area of 207,600 square kilometers, Belarus is one of the smaller countries in Europe. However, its location and history have given it a unique place in the region.

Early History

The territory that is now Belarus has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Slavic tribes that inhabited the area were united under the rule of the Kievan Rus in the 10th century. The Belarusian lands were part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania from the 13th century until 1569, when they were incorporated into the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.

During this period, Belarusian culture and identity began to emerge, with the use of the Belarusian language becoming more widespread. The Belarusian language, which is closely related to Russian and Ukrainian, was first written in the Cyrillic script in the 16th century.

Partition and Russian Rule

In the late 18th century, the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was partitioned by Russia, Prussia, and Austria. The Belarusian lands were divided between the Russian Empire and Prussia, with the majority going to Russia. Under Russian rule, Belarus became part of the Pale of Settlement, a region where Jews were allowed to live.

During the 19th century, Belarusian nationalism began to emerge as a response to Russian imperial policies. The Belarusian language and culture were suppressed, and many Belarusians were forced to adopt Russian as their primary language. Nevertheless, a distinct Belarusian national identity continued to develop.

World War I and Independence

During World War I, Belarus was occupied by Germany. In 1918, the Belarusian National Republic was established as an independent state. However, it was short-lived, as it was soon occupied by the Soviet Union.

Soviet Rule and World War II

In 1922, Belarus became part of the Soviet Union as the Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic. Under Soviet rule, Belarus underwent rapid industrialization and collectivization, leading to significant economic growth but also causing human suffering.

During World War II, Belarus was occupied by Nazi Germany, and more than 2 million Belarusians were killed, including many Jews who were murdered in the Holocaust. Belarusian partisans played an important role in the resistance against the German occupation.

Post-War Soviet Era

After the war, Belarus was rebuilt under Soviet rule, with a focus on heavy industry and agriculture. The country became known as the “breadbasket” of the Soviet Union due to its large agricultural production. However, the Soviet era was marked by political repression, censorship, and human rights violations.

Independence

In 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed, and Belarus declared independence as the Republic of Belarus. The country’s first president was Alexander Lukashenko, who was elected in 1994. Lukashenko quickly consolidated power and established an authoritarian regime, suppressing opposition and free speech.

Political Situation

Belarus is currently facing a political crisis, with ongoing protests against Lukashenko’s rule. The crisis began in 2020, following a disputed presidential election in which Lukashenko was declared the winner. The opposition and international observers allege that the election was rigged, and the protests have been met with a violent crackdown by the government.

Economy

Belarus has a mixed economy, with state ownership of many industries and a significant private sector. The country is heavily dependent on Russia for energy imports and exports, and economic growth has been slow in recent years.

Culture