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How history judges Russia's leaders How history judges Russia's leaders
(about 18 hours later)
By James Rodgers BBC News, Ural mountainsBy James Rodgers BBC News, Ural mountains
President Vladimir Putin has been credited with making Russia either stronger or more aggressive, depending on your point of view, but history has yet to deliver the final verdict as the fluctuating views of past Russian leaders clearly illustrates. President Vladimir Putin has been credited with making Russia either stronger or more aggressive, depending on your point of view, but history has yet to deliver the final verdict as the fluctuating views of past Russian leaders clearly illustrate.
Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed on 17 July 1918Tsar Nicholas and his family were executed on 17 July 1918
Tsar Nicholas II and his whole family were shot there. Tsar Nicholas II and his whole family were shot.
Almost 60 years later, the house where they were killed was knocked down.Almost 60 years later, the house where they were killed was knocked down.
The communists were worried that it would become a place of pilgrimage.The communists were worried that it would become a place of pilgrimage.
Then communism itself crumbled and the remains of the royal family were recovered.Then communism itself crumbled and the remains of the royal family were recovered.
They had been cast into a pit like rubbish and were reburied alongside their regal ancestors.They had been cast into a pit like rubbish and were reburied alongside their regal ancestors.
The sovereign, for so long reviled as a tyrant, is now revered as a saint.The sovereign, for so long reviled as a tyrant, is now revered as a saint.
A splendid church stands on the site where he and his wife and children were gunned down.A splendid church stands on the site where he and his wife and children were gunned down.
It is now a place of pilgrimage.It is now a place of pilgrimage.
Governing RussiaGoverning Russia
The rehabilitation of Tsar Nicholas is the story of the extremes of Russian history and these radical transformations continue to shape the country today.The rehabilitation of Tsar Nicholas is the story of the extremes of Russian history and these radical transformations continue to shape the country today.
For most of the 20th Century, Russia practised a repressive form of communism.For most of the 20th Century, Russia practised a repressive form of communism.
In the 1990s it abandoned that completely in favour of a brutal form of capitalism.In the 1990s it abandoned that completely in favour of a brutal form of capitalism.
The city of Yekaterinburg stands close to the geographical line where Europe and Asia meet. It is here too that the stories of two of Russia's leaders collide.The city of Yekaterinburg stands close to the geographical line where Europe and Asia meet. It is here too that the stories of two of Russia's leaders collide.
The tsar was the country's last pre-communist ruler.The tsar was the country's last pre-communist ruler.
Boris Yeltsin was its first post-communist president but he was not always such an implacable opponent of the Soviet regime.Boris Yeltsin was its first post-communist president but he was not always such an implacable opponent of the Soviet regime.
It was he who, as the local Communist Party boss, ordered the demolition of the house where the tsar and his family were shot.It was he who, as the local Communist Party boss, ordered the demolition of the house where the tsar and his family were shot.
Yeltsin museumYeltsin museum
Russia's changes of ideology and government have been accompanied by changes of name.Russia's changes of ideology and government have been accompanied by changes of name.
Butka is the birthplace of Boris Yeltsin but you would not guess the identity of Butka's most famous son unless you already knewButka is the birthplace of Boris Yeltsin but you would not guess the identity of Butka's most famous son unless you already knew
Yekaterinburg was called Sverdlovsk during the communist era.Yekaterinburg was called Sverdlovsk during the communist era.
It was named after a Bolshevik revolutionary. Now in the post-Soviet era it has reverted to its earlier name.It was named after a Bolshevik revolutionary. Now in the post-Soviet era it has reverted to its earlier name.
Butka has always been Butka. The 250-km (155-mile) drive from Yekaterinburg took about four hours.Butka has always been Butka. The 250-km (155-mile) drive from Yekaterinburg took about four hours.
The distance we had covered looked tiny on the map.The distance we had covered looked tiny on the map.
This small village is the birthplace of Boris Yeltsin but you would not guess the identity of Butka's most famous son unless you already knew.This small village is the birthplace of Boris Yeltsin but you would not guess the identity of Butka's most famous son unless you already knew.
It is a monument to Lenin which stands in the centre of the village. And the main street is still named after the man who promised a bright future under socialism, not the man who resolutely rejected it.It is a monument to Lenin which stands in the centre of the village. And the main street is still named after the man who promised a bright future under socialism, not the man who resolutely rejected it.
There is a Boris Yeltsin museum, of sorts. Rather there is a collection of memorabilia.There is a Boris Yeltsin museum, of sorts. Rather there is a collection of memorabilia.
It is tucked away on the second floor of the local secondary school.It is tucked away on the second floor of the local secondary school.
"We haven't actually got anything of his," the lady looking after it admitted."We haven't actually got anything of his," the lady looking after it admitted.
Nostalgic villagersNostalgic villagers
Butka's main street is lined with wooden houses. Many are well kept, others are falling down.Butka's main street is lined with wooden houses. Many are well kept, others are falling down.
Much of the electorate gives President Putin credit for the better living standardsMuch of the electorate gives President Putin credit for the better living standards
About a third of the village's inhabitants have left in the last 15 years.About a third of the village's inhabitants have left in the last 15 years.
Like much of rural Russia, Butka suffered during the transition to capitalism.Like much of rural Russia, Butka suffered during the transition to capitalism.
Local factories were just not up to the competition which came with the free market. Jobs, pensions and savings disappeared.Local factories were just not up to the competition which came with the free market. Jobs, pensions and savings disappeared.
Today, the villagers seem determined to make the most of it, but there is nostalgia for the old days.Today, the villagers seem determined to make the most of it, but there is nostalgia for the old days.
"Everything went according to a plan then," said Lidia. She is struggling to keep part of one of the factories functioning."Everything went according to a plan then," said Lidia. She is struggling to keep part of one of the factories functioning.
It used to make carpets. The nimble-fingered women weave no longer.It used to make carpets. The nimble-fingered women weave no longer.
They assemble electrical components for cars.They assemble electrical components for cars.
The factory is at the end of an unsurfaced road. A wooden bridge is the only way over the river.The factory is at the end of an unsurfaced road. A wooden bridge is the only way over the river.
On a July afternoon, Butka seemed like the perfect place to wander, to gaze at the meadows at the edge of the village.On a July afternoon, Butka seemed like the perfect place to wander, to gaze at the meadows at the edge of the village.
Its charm could not hide its problems.Its charm could not hide its problems.
Lidia had built up a business from the ruins.Lidia had built up a business from the ruins.
Five years ago, the factory was at a complete standstill.Five years ago, the factory was at a complete standstill.
"So you see, the village isn't dying," she said brightly."So you see, the village isn't dying," she said brightly.
But the part that is still working felt like the only corner of a once grand castle which remains inhabited. Vast rooms stand empty.But the part that is still working felt like the only corner of a once grand castle which remains inhabited. Vast rooms stand empty.
Measure of successMeasure of success
The last seven years have been stable compared to the immediate post-communist period.The last seven years have been stable compared to the immediate post-communist period.
To understand Russia you have to understand that its people are risk-takers because they just do not know what is coming nextTo understand Russia you have to understand that its people are risk-takers because they just do not know what is coming next
Much of the electorate gives President Putin credit for the better living standards which have come from the rise in oil and gas prices.Much of the electorate gives President Putin credit for the better living standards which have come from the rise in oil and gas prices.
The boom has brought billions of dollars into the Russian economy.The boom has brought billions of dollars into the Russian economy.
Mr Putin's critics accuse him of stifling democracy and say the Kremlin is preparing to exert total control over the election of his successor.Mr Putin's critics accuse him of stifling democracy and say the Kremlin is preparing to exert total control over the election of his successor.
Opinion polls consistently suggest he is hugely popular.Opinion polls consistently suggest he is hugely popular.
His time in office is favourably compared with the chaotic 1990s under Boris Yeltsin.His time in office is favourably compared with the chaotic 1990s under Boris Yeltsin.
Mr Yeltsin died in April.Mr Yeltsin died in April.
With a few exceptions, the tributes which were paid to him were polite. But the numbers who filed past his coffin in Moscow were few for a sprawling city of some 10 million inhabitants.With a few exceptions, the tributes which were paid to him were polite. But the numbers who filed past his coffin in Moscow were few for a sprawling city of some 10 million inhabitants.
Many Westerners come to this country and shake their heads at the statistics for deaths from drinking, fires, and road accidents. But to understand Russia you have to understand that its people are risk-takers because they just do not know what is coming next.Many Westerners come to this country and shake their heads at the statistics for deaths from drinking, fires, and road accidents. But to understand Russia you have to understand that its people are risk-takers because they just do not know what is coming next.
It would be interesting to return to Russia at the end of this century and see whose statues are standing in the towns and villages then and which rulers are still revered.It would be interesting to return to Russia at the end of this century and see whose statues are standing in the towns and villages then and which rulers are still revered.
From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday 21 - Monday 23 July, 2007 on BBC World Service. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.From Our Own Correspondent was broadcast on Saturday 21 - Monday 23 July, 2007 on BBC World Service. Please check the programme schedules for World Service transmission times.