Crimea

Crimea – Is a peninsula, which played an important role for the development of Kyiv Rus and its direct successor - Ukraine. 

At various times in the Crimea lived Neanderthals, several tribes. In Crimea were also ancient Greek colonies, was established Bosporus kingdom. Later a part of the peninsula was seized the Byzantine Empire. Kiyv Rus troops often attacked the peninsula. Later, on Crimea was established friendly to Kyiv Rus Tmutarakan principality.
In 988 Prince Volodymyr conquered the peninsula and the Byzantine city of Chersonese. Prince was baptized in this city.

From 11 to 13 ages peninsula was a Cuman’s territory. Cumans became the ancestors of the Crimean Tatars. In the 13th century the peninsula was seized by the Mongol-Tatars. Since then, the peninsula was called Crimea – because of the name of the main settlement in the region.

After the collapse of the Golden Horde, in Crimea was formed the Crimean Khanate, which in the 15th century became a vassal of the Ottoman Empire.

 

a flag of Crimean Tatar

 

In the 18th century Russia begins war with the Ottoman Empire in the Crimea. 1783 Crimea was conquered by Russian Empire. A lot of Crimean Tatars and Greeks were forced to move from Crimea. A lot of Russians and Ukrainians began to settle there. At the time of the Russian Revolution and Civil War, 1917-1920, on the peninsula was established Crimean People's Republic, who wanted to unite with the Ukrainian National Republic.

Because of struggles Russian troops had seized the Crimean Republic.

From 1928 to 1931 about 3,500 people were exiled and killed, mostly Crimean Tatars.

In 1944 near 194.000 Crimean Tatars were deported from the Crimea.

In 1954, Crimea was transferred to the USSR, and after the collapse of the Soviet Union Crimea became a part of Ukraine

In 2014 Russia violated international agreements in Crimea; invaded and occupied it. Before annexation Ukrainian territory of Crimea, Crimean people lived under the high pressure of Russian media-propaganda. Everywhere were openly calls for separatism, and joining to Russia. A year after the annexation of the Crimea Russian president acknowledged that acted on the peninsula Russian troops.

It was a short article about Crimea. As you can see? Crimea has a long interesting own story, connected with different countries and cultures. Unfortunately, now Crimea is an annexed territory. A lot of people were forced to leave their home.