The Soviet Union, 1917-1991

Resources on the World Wide Web

Selected Websites

Unlike conventionally published books and journal articles, most websites are not subjected to a process of quality review. Consequently, the value and usefulness of historical material available on the World Wide Web is very varied, and many sites contain tendentious, misleading and inaccurate information.

It is important, therefore, to develop effective techniques for judging the quality of any site consulted. A Guide to Website Evaluation, relevant to the study of history, is available.

Web resources should not be regarded as a full substitute for conventional printed publications, but the selected sites below may be of interest and value.

Please report any broken links or additional high-quality sites to pv@st-andrews.ac.uk.


Internet Guides

Soviet arms
  • Chronology of Russian History: The Soviet Period

    A detailed chronological listing of events from 1917 to 1990, with links to a number of other websites on aspects of Soviet history. Produced by the Russian History Programme at Bucknell University, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania.

  • Internet Modern History Sourcebook

    This large and complex site, compiled and edited by Paul Halsall at Fordham University, New York, contains links to many relevant on-line resources. The most useful sections for this course are:

    REESWeb
  • REESWeb

    This site, produced by the Center for Russian and East European Studies at the University of Pittsburgh, consists of a searchable database of links to websites covering a wide range of topics concerning Russia and Eastern Europe. The most relevant subject categories are History and Public Policy and Government.

  • REENIC

    The Russian and East European Network Information Center is a collection of links to websites with information about East and Central Europe, Russia, and the newly independent countries of the former Soviet Union. REENIC is supported by The University of Texas at Austin Center for Russian, East European and Eurasian Studies and the College of Liberal Arts.


  • Other Sites

  • Library of Congress Soviet Archives Exhibit

    A complex hypermedia exhibition containing a selection of primary documents on Soviet history and on Soviet-American relations.

    Lenin 1918
  • Lenin Internet Archive

    Part of the Marxist Internet Archive, this site contains full texts of Lenin's writings, a biography and a collection of photographs.

  • Leon Trotsky Internet Archive

    Also part of the Marxist Internet Archive, contains texts of Trotsky's writings, a biography and a photograph collection.

    Cold War International History Project
  • Cold War International History Project

    An extensive and complex site containing documents and commentaries on a wide range of Cold War issues. Produced by the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, Washington DC.

  • Little Russia in US

    Contains a collection of diverse items of Russian culture, including art, music, photographs, jokes and cookery recipes. The music section contains some wonderful examples of traditional Russian church music. Compiled by "a loose association of volunteers promoting Russian culture to the world".


  • Electronic Journal

  • Transitions Online

    This electronic successor to the (now defunct) Transitions journal provides extensive information on contemporary developments in Central and Eastern Europe and the territory of the former Soviet Union. [Note - Parts of this site are accessible on a subscription basis only.]


  • News and Current Affairs

    Daily events in Russia and in the territory of the former Soviet Union may be followed on these sites:

    The Kremlin
  • Moscow Times

    Electronic version of English-language daily newspaper (published Tuesday to Saturday) containing general news and busines and financial information.


  • Index Information Tour