Russia and the Former Soviet Republics An Introduction

Russia and the Former Soviet Republics: An Introduction

Warm-Up Questions CPS Questions (1 - 2) Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Chapter Overview Lesson 1: Russia and the Former Soviet Republics: An Introduction Lesson 2: Economic Restructuring: Communism and Capitalism Lesson 3: Russia and the Republics Lesson 4: Russia and World Relationships Lesson 5: US Interests and Regional Issues in Russia and the Former Soviet Republics Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Lesson Overview Ø The geographic locations of Russia and the former Soviet Republics Ø The major religious groups of Russia and the former Soviet Republics Ø The historical context of Russia from the Kievan Rus through the time of Peter the Great Ø How events of the nineteenth century and World War I contributed to the October Revolution Ø The economic and political impacts of World War II and the Cold War on Russia Ø The effects of the fall of communism Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Quick Write What does the August 1991 coup against Gorbachev suggest to you about the way people cope with change? (Note for teacher: Use “Pick a Student “ button in CPS) Chapter 4, Lesson 1

The Geographic Locations of Russia and the Former Soviet Republics Russia: Ø Largest landmass of any country with 11 time zones Ø Landscapes: Ø Tundra Ø Taiga Ø Steppes Ø The 140 million people of Russia represent more than 100 ethnic groups Chapter 4 Lesson 1

The Geographic Locations of Russia and the Former Soviet Republics, cont. Ø Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova ØWest of Russia and north of the Black Sea Ø Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania are “the Baltic states” Ø Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia ØMountainous Caucasus region between the Black and Caspian seas Ø Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan ØCentral Asian republics of former Soviet Union Chapter 4, Lesson 1

The Major Religious Groups of Russia and the Former Soviet Republics Ø The Soviet Union was officially atheistic-believing God doesn’t exist Ø The Russian Orthodox Church goes back to Kievan Rus Ø At end of 18 th century, Russia had the largest Jewish population in the world Ø In 1996 Muslims made up an estimated 19 percent of all Russians who practice a religion Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Robert Harbison / © 1997 The Christian Science Monitor

The Historical Context of Russia: Kievan Rus through Peter the Great Ø Kievan Rus established in 962 Ø Ivan III was the first to use the titles “czar” and “ruler of all Rus” ØBy the end of his reign, Muscovy had tripled in size Ø The Influence of Peter the Great ØAssumed title of emperor and czar ØHe reorganized the army, streamlined government, and put money and people to work Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Events of the 19 th Century and World War I Leading to October Revolution Ø During World War I Russia suffered several defeats Ø High food prices and shortages led to strikes Ø Czar Nicholas II abdicated— gave up the throne—in 1917 Ø The Bolsheviks seized power from the Provisional Government Ø New Bolshevik regime wasn’t secure until after civil war from 1918 -1921 Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Melanie Stetson Freeman / © 1989 The Christian Science Monitor

Economic and Political Impacts of World War II and the Cold War Ø By end of the 1920 s, Stalin was the sole leader of the Soviet Union ØState took control of all factories and farms ØIn the 1930 s, Stalin began a purge of the Communist Party ØRepression was part of the system he created ØStalin died in 1953 Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Economic and Political Impacts of World War II and the Cold War, cont. Ø Nikita Krushchev emerged as Stalin’s successor (1953 -1964) ØHis tenure brought about a relative liberalization in Soviet life Ø The Brezhnev era (1964 -1982) was more authoritarian and less liberal, but stable Ø Mikhail Gorbachev promoted “new thinking, ” glasnost, open public discussion of problems Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Effects of the Fall of Communism Ø Gorbachev was the last general secretary of the Soviet Communist Party Ø In 1991 Boris Yeltsin became the Russian Federation’s first democratically elected president Ø The Soviet Union ceased to exist Ø Russia went through immense stress during the 1990 s as it moved from a centrally planned economy to a free-market system Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Melanie Stetson Freeman / © 1989 The Christian Science Monitor

Effects of the Fall of Communism, cont. Ø In 1999 Yeltsin resigned and turned power over to his prime minister, Vladimir Putin Ø Putin served 2 terms as president and then became the prime minister Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Melanie Stetson Freeman / © 2008 The Christian Science Monitor

Learning Check CPS Questions (3 - 4) Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Activity 1: Geographic Locations in Russia and Former Soviet Republics Identify the countries and bodies of water in Russia and the former Soviet republics Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Activity 2: Understanding the October Revolution 1. What were the conditions like for the Russian people? 2. Why do you think the Bolsheviks were able to win over the provisional government and the Petrograd Soviet to seize power? Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Activity 3: Comparing Leadership Styles of Stalin and Gorbachev Use the Venn diagram to compare/contrast the leadership styles of Joseph V. Stalin and of Mikhail S. Gorbachev Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Technology Enrichment: Russia and the Former Soviet Republics Web Scavenger Hunt Search the Web for answers to the questions on the scavenger hunt worksheet Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Review Ø Russia has the largest landmass of any country Ø For most of the twentieth century, the Soviet Union was officially atheistic Ø Ivan III was the first to use the titles “czar” and “ruler of all Rus” Ø Peter the Great assumed the title of emperor and czar, officially making Muscovy the Russian Empire in 1721 Ø In 1917 Czar Nicholas II abdicated; the Bolsheviks seized power from the Provisional Government Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Review, cont. Ø By the end of the 1920 s, Stalin was the sole leader of the Soviet Union Ø Krushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev emerged as Stalin’s successors before the fall of Communism Ø In 1991 Boris Yeltsin became the Russian Federation’s first democratically elected president Ø In 1999 Yeltsin resigned and turned power over to his prime minister, Vladimir Putin Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Review Questions CPS Questions (5 - 6) Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Summary Ø The geographic locations of Russia and the former Soviet Republics Ø The major religious groups of Russia and the former Soviet Republics Ø The historical context of Russia from the Kievan Rus through the time of Peter the Great Ø How events of the nineteenth century and World War I contributed to the October Revolution Ø The economic and political impacts of World War II and the Cold War on Russia Ø The effects of the fall of communism Chapter 4, Lesson 1

Next…. Ø Done—Russia and the Former Soviet Republics: An Introduction Ø Next—Economic Restructuring: Communism and Capitalism Chapter 4, Lesson 1 Melanie Stetson Freeman / © 2008 The Christian Science Monitor