The history of Belarus is ancient. The first people inhabiting that territory appeared 40 thousand years ago. In about the third millennium B.C. the eastern part of Belarus had been inhabited by tribes belonging to the Ugro-Finnish branch of the Ural group of people while its southern part was inhabited by Indo-Europeans.

At the beginning of A.D. Indo-Europeans predominated with the major portion of the territory of Belarus being inhabited by Balts and only a few locations in the south-west being inhabited by Slavs as evidenced by archaeological excavations. In V-VIII centuries A.D. Slavs had been actively settling over the entire territory of Belarus assimilating local Baltic people. That resulted in formation of East Slavic ethnic communities of Krivichy, Drehovichy and Radimichy. When those and some other communities had been transformed into an ancient Russian community, their territories became their common ethnical territory called "Rus".

Originally (since XIV century), the term of "Belaya Rus" (White Rus or Russia) denoted one of dialect-ethnographic areas, mostly the North-East (Novgorod, Pskov, Polotsk and Vitebsk lands), of the all-east ancient Slavic community. In Russian sources of the XV century "White Rus" is frequently identified with the "Great Moscow Rus". There exist various interpretations of the "White Rus" term. Some researchers associate it with independence from the Tatar-Mongols ("white" is treated as "free"), from early Christianization and even with the more privileged status of the Polotsk and Vitebsk lands within the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

From the second half of XVI century the term "White Rus" was used to denote the territory between Lithuania and the Moscow State. They began to call the Slavic population of these territories "Belarustsy"(Belarussians).

In the period from XIII to the first half of XIV century., the Belarussian and Lithuanian ethnical territories were united by local princes into a sort of federation: the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL). Since XV century it had been officially called the Grand Duchy of Lithuania , Russia and Zhemojtia. As an early feudal monarchy, GDL had been formed during the reign of the Grand Duke Mindauh (c. 1200-1263). In the XIII century, the residence of the Lithuanian princes was the Belarussian town of Novogrudok. There were different ways of joining the Belarussian territories to GDL. Basically, the princes made agreements with feudal owners of these lands who were interested in strong state capable of safeguarding them from external aggression and ensuring favorable conditions for economic activity and trade.

On the Belarussian and Ukrainian territories of GDL the development level of feudal system was higher than that on the Lithuanian and Zhemojt territories, which could be attributed to predominance of the Slavic factor in many fields of the state's life. After acceptance of the Krevsk Union (1385) and conversion of the Lithuanian and Zhemojt people and GDL princes into Catholicism, Orthodox feudals began to lose their dominance. More and more the Grand Dukes began to support their fellow believers among feudals , grant them lands, high posts, economic and political privileges. However, Orthodox princes and gentry were striving to preserve their independence. As a result , various forces oppositional to the Grand Duke's vicegerents were formed on the Belarussian lands. The principalities of East Belarussia began to come over to the side of the Moscow State.

The Grand Duchy of Lithuania had been weakened by wars with the Moscow State, by the Crimean Khanate in XVI century, and by everlasting intestine wars between feudals and princes within the state. Thus pushed by the Lithuanian and Belarussian gentry striving for the same privileges and rights as those enjoyed by the Polish feudals, the GDL was forced to enter into an alliance with Poland. As a consequence of the Union of Lublin accepted in 1569, Lithuania and Poland were united to form a new feudal federative state: Rzecz Pospolita (Commonwealth). Originally, the GDL preserved its sovereignty, government, treasury, army and legislation. Polish Catholic influence was gradually increased. The decisive factor had been the acceptance of the Brest Church Union (1596), after which the authorities began to actually support the Uniates and the Catholics. Despite the religious contradictions, the level of culture in GAL was very high which had been recognized in Europe. They carried out office work and legal proceedings, wrote deeds, chronicles, annals and statutes in the old Belarussian language (or old Russian in Belarussian version as many researchers assume). In the old Belarussian (or old Russian) language, F. Skoryna of Polotsk had printed the first 22 books of Bible among East Slavs (1517-1579) and had been publishing books in the first printing house founded by him in the GDL (1522- 1525). Among the most prominent followers of F. Skoryna were S. Budny, I. Fedorov and P. Mstislavets. There were printing houses operating in Brest, Nesvizh, Vilno, Zabludovo, Minsk, Grodno and Mogilev. The names of V. Tyapinsky, S. Polotsky, L.Zizanij, M. Smotritsky and K. Narbut were renowned well beyond the country.

During the XIV to XVI centuries, the Belarussian architecture reached a high level (as evidenced by the castles in Grodno, Krev, Lida, Vilno, Nesvizh and Mir). A singular local Gothic style had been formed. In XIII century a peculiar style, the so called Vilnian baroque, had been developed. Castles and residences of magnates came to be evolved into palace-and-castle complexes, new palaces and town ensembles of buildings were built.

Long-lasting and devastating wars in the second half on the 17th and the early 18th century (anti-feudal war, 1648-1651; wars between Poland (Rzecz Pospolita) and Sweden in 1655-1660, Russia in 1654-1667, and the Northern War, 1700-17210 , social disturbances, intestine wars between magnates and gentry accounted for prolonged political decline and crisis of Rzecz Pospolita and the Belarussian lands.

Due to protracted crisis at the end of the 18th century, Rzecz Pospolita weakened as a state thereby allowing Austria, Prussia and Russia to take advantage of the fact. In 1772, 1793 and 1795, there were conducted three partitions of Poland, which caused Rzecz Pospolita to be deprived of its state independence. Incorporation of the Belarussian land into the Russian Empire had both the positive and negative effects. On the one hand, Belarus had been liberated from forced Polonization and integrated into the All-Russian economic system. Intestine feuds were stopped and anarchism of gentry was eradicated. On the other hand, the policy of Russification, long-lasting serfdom and its survivals hindered the development of its economy. The uprising (1863-1864) in Poland , Belarus and Lithuania had become an evidence of the crisis of feudal system and the necessity of socio-political and economic changes. Its leaders were under the strong influence of the ideas of the Russian revolutionary democrats such as A. Hertzen, A. Ogarev and N. Chernyshevsky, who called for overthrow of autocracy, liquidation of land ownership, transfer of land to peasantry and the right of nations to self-determination.

An important contribution to preparation and organization of the uprising of masses had been made by the Belarussian revolutionary democrat K. Kalinovsky who had close ties with the Russian revolutionaries of Petersburg and Moscow. He was confident that the actual freedom could be only achieved in alliance with the peoples of Russia. Due to vigorous activity of K.Kalinovsky and his comrades-in-arms, the uprising had assumed an international character. Hundreds of the Russians were struggling shoulder to shoulder with the Belarussians, the Lithuanians and the Poles in the ranks of insurgents. Despite its defeat, the uprising of 1863-1864 had become an important milestone on the road of the common struggle of the peoples of the Russian Empire for freedom and justice. Also its contributed to revival of democratic movements in Europe.

The reforms of 60-70s in Russia had accelerated the socio-economic development of Belarus, but they caused no improvement in the position of the people. Old contradictions gave way to new ones. Social tension had been aggravated by the lack of democratic freedoms and intensification of national oppression. A major problem for Belarus was the fact that peasants were landless. Revolution of 1905-1907 in Russia had involved Belarus too. The revolutionary wave that had taken up town and village greatly contributed to upsurge of the national-liberation movement. During the revolution, local organizations of All-Russian political parties appeared and the Belarussian nationalist parties and movements started to form.

In the World War I (1914-1918), the territory of Belarus had become an arena of combat since August 1915. The War had not only broken down the industry, transportation system and agriculture but aggravated the deep contradictions between the classes. Material conditions of the major part of population drastically worsened: the real wages of workers cut in half and the food crisis burst out. More than one million of Belarus's inhabitants became refugees. The

February Revolution of 1917 had liquidated tsarist autocracy and proclaimed democratic freedoms. The position of the main body of population had not been improved.

The October Revolution of 1917 declared the right of the people of Russia for self-determination and liquidated land lordownership. There were created new bodies of power in the form of the Soviets of Workers', Peasants' and Soldiers' Deputies, and introduced the workers' control over production and consumption of products. The October Revolution opened the possibility for Belarus to establish its statehood. Originally, some political figures in Belarus were favorably disposed to the idea of autonomy within the boundaries of the Russian Democratic Federative Republic. However, on March 25, 1918, while the country was under German military occupation, the Belarussian People's Republic (BPR) had been declared. The BPR Rada (Council) included representatives of all Left-wing parties except the Bolsheviks. The declaration of BPR should be treated only as an attempt to establish the Belarussian statehood. The point is that the power was fully in the hands of German invaders. There were no financial and judicial systems, armed forces, and state borders. The mere idea of Belarussian statehood, however, forced the general public of many countries as well as the Bolshevist leaders of the Soviet Russia to pay attention to the problems of that territory. Eventually that idea accelerated the process of creating the Belarussian Republic on the Soviet basis.

On 1 January 1919, the Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic had been declared. It incorporated the territories of the Vitebsk, Smolensk and Kovno regions. The First All-Belarussian Congress of Soviets (2-3 February 1919) had adopted the Constitution of the BSSR and elected the Central Executive Committee of the BSSR. The Congress announced the decision of the Presidium of All-Russian Central Executive Committee on recognition of independence of the BSSR. The Congress agreed to handing the Vitebsk, Mogilev and Smolensk regions over to the RSFSR.

When Poland began its intervention to Belarus and Lithuania, according to the resolution of the Central Committee of the Russian Communist Party (Bolsheviks), the Lithuanian-Belarussian Soviet Socialist Republic was established on February 27, 1919 with Vilno as its capital. Once the Polish invaders had been driven out, the BSSR was re-announced on 31 July 1920 in Minsk. The territory of the restored BSSR incorporated 6 districts of the Minsk region. According to the Treaty of Riga (1921), the western part of Belarus was annexed by Poland. As proposed by the Party and Soviet leaders of the BSSR, the Central authorities of the USSR and the RSFSR agreed to return to the Republic parts of east territories in 1924 and 1926.

In 20-30s large-scale industry was created. New industries, such as metal-processing, machine-building, peat and others, were established. Woodworking, light and food processing industries had been intensively developing. Despite severe blunders and miscalculations of collectivization, agriculture was progressing toward industrialization. Certain advances were noted in the cultural policy. The universal compulsory elementary education was introduced . By the end of 1932, there were 31 higher educational institutions and 104 specialized secondary education schools. By the end of 1928, the Institute of Belarussian Culture had been transformed into the Academy of Sciences of the BSSR. Great achievements were noted in literature and arts. Unfortunately, the 30s are marked with deformations in socio-political life, with severe infringement of democracy associated with the personality cult of Stalin. Many innocent people were suspected to cruel repressions. Repressions assumed wide scope in 1937-38.

Belarus happened to appear in the focus of tragic events of World War II (1939-1945). In September 1939, the Soviet Armies crossed the Soviet-Polish border and occupied the territory of Western Belarus. In response to an appeal of the People's Assembly of Western Belarus, an extraordinary session of the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR passed a resolution on incorporation of Western Belarus into the BSSR. In October 1939, the USSR government handed over Vilno and the Vilno district to Lithuania. Incorporation of Western Belarus into the BSSR was an act of historic justice which put an end to participation of Belarus, restored its territorial integrity and contributed to the unity of the people of Belarus.

On 22 June 1941 the fascist Germany treacherously attacked the USSR. That was the beginning of the Great Patriotic War of the Soviet Union which lasted from 1941 to 1945. Belarus had become an arena of heavy fighting. As a consequence of the Red Army retreat, a Hitlerite occupation regime was temporarily established on the territory.

Underground Party and Komsomol groups were set up and the guerrilla movement had spread all over Belarus. 1255 guerrilla detachments and 213 guerrilla brigades involving more than 374,000 people took part in the struggle. More than 400,000 people, the so called hidden reserves, rendered their assistance to guerrillas. For the period from July 1941 to July 1944, they derailed 11,128 troop trains, defeated 948 enemy garrisons and staffs, blew up more than 18,700 motor-cars. The guerrillas and members of underground organizations had greatly contributed to the common victory over the enemy. As a result of the "Bagration" operation carried out by the Red Army with the backing of guerrillas and underground workers in summer 1994, the territory of Belarus was liberated from fascist invaders. For the time of occupation, fascist invaders annihilated over 2,200,000 inhabitants of Belarus. Every forth inhabitant of the Republic perished. The invaders burnt out and destroyed 209 cities and towns, 9200 villages and practically all industrial enterprises, collective and state farms, hospitals, scientific and cultural establishments.

On 16 August 1945 by the Treaty signed between the USSR and Poland, 17 districts of the Belostok region, including Belostok, and 3 districts of the Brest region were handed over to Poland. Despite heavy losses and destruction, the people of Belarus collected their strength to restore the Republic and increase its economic potential. All Republics of the Soviet Union rendered their assistance to Belarus. In post-war time machine-building and metal-processing began to develop at a growing rate. Chemical and petrochemical industries were set up. The resource potential of the Republic had been greatly increased with the discovery and development of potassium salts and oil in 60s.

Before dissolution of the Soviet Union Belarus had been among the most economically and socially developed Republics. With its territory being less than 1 per cent of the overall territory of the USSR Belarus produced more than 4 per cent of the total national income. Its proportion in the output of certain important types of production was even greater.

However, the structure of industry that had been formed as a result of rigid centralized planning made Belarus dependent on supply of large volumes of raw materials and power resources. Production of means of production and military products prevailed.

Reforms attempted on the initiative of the CPSS leaders headed by M. Gorbachev aggravated economic position. The Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 turned out to be a national tragedy for Belarus. Twenty three per cent of its territory has been contaminated by radioactive materials and caused a drastic increase of sick rate among part of the population. Early 90s have been characterized by aggravation of crisis of economy. Quest for the ways of reforming the entire society is marked by the development of democracy, publicity and multi-party system. In the elections to the Soviets in 1990, the opposition blocks managed to have their candidates elected people's deputies of the BSSR. The events of August 1991 in Moscow encouraged the Soviet Republics to exercise their right for sovereignty and eventually caused dissolution of the USSR. On 19 September 1991 the Supreme Soviet of the BSSR passed a decision on renaming of the country to the Republic of Belarus. On 15 March 1994 a new Constitution was adopted.

In recent years heated discussions were conducted in Belarus about the state bilinguialism, national symbols and expediency of economic integration with Russia. Considering numerous wishes of citizens, the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko suggested to the Supreme Soviet in March 1995 to order the date for a new national referendum on the problems vital for the whole nation. At the referendum conducted on 14 May 1995 four questions were proposed:
- Do you agree that the Russian Language should be given the same status as the Belarussian language? Do you support the proposal on establishing the national emblem and flag in the Republic of Belarus?
- Do you support the steps of the President of Belarus directed to economic integration with the Russian Federation?
- Do you agree that the Constitution of the Republic of Belarus must be amended so as the President could dissolve the Supreme Soviet in case of systematic and severe violations of the Constitution?

The poll included 64.8% of elective body. Of all voters 83.3% responded positively to the first question, 75.1% to the second question, 83.3% to the third question and 77.7% to the fourth question.