Belarusian history dates back to the early medieval period when the region was part of the Kievan Rus, a federation of Slavic tribes. Over the centuries, it was influenced by various powers, including the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. In the late 18th century, Belarus was partitioned and became part of the Russian Empire. After World War I, Belarus briefly gained independence but was soon incorporated into the Soviet Union. The country experienced significant industrialization and collectivization during this time. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus declared independence, and Alexander Lukashenko became its first president, leading to ongoing political challenges.