What is History of post-Soviet Russia?
{{nosources|date=June 2009}} Because of the end of the [[Soviet Union]], [[Russia]] went through a large change politically, economically, and militarily. First off the Soviet Union became the Russian Federation. People now consider that the Federation is a follow up of the Soviet Union. However, Post-Soviet Russia lacked the military and political power of the former USSR. Now that [[communism]] died, Russia could elect a President. In June 1991, [[Boris Yeltsin]] was elected as the first [[president of Russia]]. ==Change in Economy== Boris Yeltsin told his people that he would help the economy. One thing he did was help improve trade with other countries. However, not all his ideas would be good. When Yeltsin lifted price controls, a sudden increase in prices occurred ([[hyperinflation]]). Because the military was hit hard during the fall of the Soviet Union, many plants laid off workers because the Government was not sending the plants any new orders. This led to large unemployment. In August 1998 the Russian government devalued the [[ruble]] and defaulted on their debt. This was called the [[1998 Russian financial crisis]]. This was due in part to the [[Asian financial crisis]] and the war in [[Chechnya]]. Many banks were forced to close down. The government stopped making payment of wages, pensions and when workers were paid, it was often with goods rather than rubles. Despite this, Russia came back from the August 1998 financial crash with speed. This was because the price of oil went up. Having the prices of oil go up, the exportation of the oil form Russia would cost more. This would bring in lots of money for the economy. A series of [[privatization]]s occurred. ==Relationships with Countries== Unlike in the [[Cold war]], Russia now said that the West was considered an ally. In June 1998 they joined the [[NATO]] peace-keeping forces. The Russians also have begun relationships with [[China]]. In 1997 the Russians made a [[Union State|treaty]] with [[Belarus]]. ==Today== Russia in the 21st century ha