How has Russia remained as one nation?

[Albion]

they were equal to population of metropolis?

Yes, the Australians like to see themselves as rugged, tough individuals who treat each other as equals. There isn't such a blur between the countryside and the cities as in America or Britain, but one is slowly developing I think.

[beaver]

Moscow is a sacred center. If the Empire reborn, it will be the capital - if not, the capital of a banana republic

[Electronic God-Man]

Basically, "We are Russians. We're fucking amazing. We were put on the Earth for some glorious purpose, whatever it may be."

I was made very aware of this sentiment recently.

I was scolded and actually called a "racist" by a Russian friend for brushing off America's history with the Amerindians and my general ethnocentric disregard for people of color. Told that "people are people", etc.

15 minutes later the topic of the former Soviet Union comes up and all of a sudden I'm hearing things like "We should still own half of Germany. We should have never given it up." I bring up the colonization of Siberia and I hear "They welcomed us. They knew they sucked and that we could bring them better things." I bring up the Baltic countries and I get "They should accept that we are just better than them. Estonians are soooo slow mentally. They should speak Russian to us, they pretend they don't, but they can!" and basically a bunch of other shit basically saying that if Russia conquers your country you should just bend over and take it in the ass...in fact, I believe she even said something about how Baltic women threw themselves at Russian men because their own men are so inept! LOL. (The Balts are gonna love this.)

It was a 360 spin, from a woman! From equality to Might = Right. Anyhow, I have begun to think that some Russians that were born in Communist times and most thoroughly indoctrinated have a split personality about these things. On one hand, everyone is equal and should be treated fairly, but on the other hand you have this intense Russian nationalism where Russians are God's gift to the world.

...it was a little sickening to be honest.

[Canute]

For one, nobody can successfully invade Russia. The size of it, plus the devastating winters have destroyed all who have made that attempt.

[Electronic God-Man]

For one, nobody can really invade Russia. The size of it, plus the devastating winters have destroyed all who have made that attempt.

I think this is a misconception. I, for one, think it is possible. It's simply a matter of better planning, and not fighting the entire Russian army in front of you and the combined forces of America, Britain and France at your back.

[Canute]

From what you're saying, I suppose it could be done. I was just referencing the major historical attempts, which in all cases, as you said, somebody decided that it would be a wonderful idea to try to take on the entire Russian (or Soviet) army. But yes, you are right I suppose.

[BeerBaron]

Geography, that and Russia's inability to win a war by itself sort of prevents expansion, Russian winter and Russian battle strategy of throw people into gun fire until the other side runs out of bullets stopped others from breaking it up. Hilter compared Russians to Native Americans with their lack of use of the vast land area they have. Undoubtedly, Germans, Brits, any other Germaic would have done much more with all that land.

[Raikaswinþs]

it hasn't. Belarus and the ukraine...

as for the velikorusskie - the great russians - there are distinct ethnographic subgroups, like the pomors, cossacks of various stripes, old siberians, and all the various regional identities like you get in any large nation. That these are together still owes something to the constant movement (voluntary and .. involuntary) of people between these parts, knitting them together, but also stands as testimony to the power of the russian myth.

One thing i see in russia that we could do better, is this national legend of the nation. After the tatar disruption, the main theme was the 'regathering of the lands'. Moscow headed this, and it got coupled with all sorts of heroic and even messianic ideas. Later on, this even switched into a global role of salvation... As such, russian national symbols are far more powerful than any we have to draw on in england.

Благодаря товарищ!

[Stars Down To Earth]

Hilter compared Russians to Native Americans with their lack of use of the vast land area they have.

Well, "Hilter" was a fucking idiot who lost the war. Might makes right, as he wad fond of saying.

In fact, the Germans' incredibly low-brow view of the Slavs contributed to them losing the war on the eastern front.

[beaver]

Well, they are miles apart from both Europeans and Asians. I suppose the Slavs in the far east can qualify as an "European settler country", the same way as Australia or NZ. In fact, Russia is big enough to qualify as a continent of its own.

very interesting quest. Russians were a moderata nation. Not more than Poles e.g. It's so self-happened? UPS and the all Eurasia!