Russia and the Former Soviet Republics: An Introduction Overview & Objectives Geographic locations Major religious groups Historical context of Russia from the Kievan Rus through the time of Peter the Great How events of the 19th century & WWI contributed to the October Revolution Economic and political impacts of World War II and the Cold War on Russia Effects of the fall of communism

Current Russia Cold War USSR Current Russia Baltic Sea Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan (ker gi stan) Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova Russia Baltic Sea Black Sea Caspian Sea Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan

Geography Russia: Largest landmass of any country Landscapes: Tundra 11 time zones Compare: US? Landscapes: Tundra Taiga Steppes The 140 million people of Russia represent more than 100 ethnic groups

Major Religious Groups Soviet Union was officially “atheistic” Still, 1/3 claimed faith in some religion At end of 18th century, Russia had largest Jewish population in world After WWII, Jewish population dwindled After fall of Communism (1991), Russian Orthodox Church rebounded most Other Orthodox Churches & millions of Catholics 1996 Muslims -19% all Russians who practice a religion (Sunni) Concentrated minority b/w Black & Caspian Seas (map)

Historical Context of Russia: Kievan Rus Scandinavian warriors/merchants settled around Kiev (present day Ukraine) in 962 Established “Kievan Rus” Became modern Russia Prince Vladimir – brought in Orthodox Christianity & Byzantine culture (Greek/Roman) Cathedral in Ukraine Architecture, law Translated literature –so didn’t connect with Greek culture Led to an important theme: Cultural isolation

Historical Context of Russia: Kievan Rus through Peter the Great Kiev Rus suffered Mongol invasions in 12th Century led by Batu Kahn (map) “Kahn” – Sovereign military ruler Grandson of great Genghis Kahn Invasions of Kiev gave nearby Moscow an opportunity to gain importance Moscow was center of Muscovy principality “Principality” – a territory ruled by a prince)

Historical Context of Russia: Kievan Rus through Peter the Great As Muscovy got more powerful, Prince Ivan III began using title of “czar” (or “tzar”) Russian form of Roman Imperial title: “Caesar” Meant : “Ruler of all Rus” Survived in German emperor title: “Kaiser” By end of his reign, Muscovy had tripled in size!

Historical Context of Russia: Peter the Great Assumed title of emperor & czar 1721 Muscovy officially became Russian Empire Reorganized army, streamlined govt, Put money & people to work Tripled revenue with many taxes Westernization wasn’t as successful because he did things by force

Events of 19th Century & WWI Leading to October Revolution WWI - Russia suffered several defeats High food prices/shortages led to strikes Czar Nicholas II abdicated in1917 October Revolution Groups of workers’ councils called “Soviets” formed to protect workers’ rights Felt they should govern Russia One Soviet (Bolsheviks) - radical group led by Vladimir Lenin seized power Bloody civil war – murdered czar & family Wanted Socialism Where govt owns everything (land, business, etc.) Democratic decisions vs communism (force)

Economic / Political Impacts of WWII & Cold War Socialists tried to centralize economy using theories of “Marxim” Karl Marx - Founder of Communism & Socialism

Economic / Political Impacts of WWII & Cold War After Vladimir Lenin’s death, Joseph Stalin became sole leader of “Soviet Union” (1924) State took control of all factories & farms Millions of peasants starved to death, killed resisters Went from backward agricultural state to powerful industrial state 1930s - began purge of communist party Campaign of terror – millions killed Stalin died in 1953, but he created a system of repression WWII had ravaged the Soviet Union

Russia and the Former Soviet Republics: An Introduction Overview & Objectives Geographic locations Major religious groups Historical context of Russia from the Kievan Rus through the time of Peter the Great How events of the 19th century & WWI contributed to the October Revolution Economic and political impacts of World War II and the Cold War on Russia Effects of the fall of communism

Current Russia Cold War USSR Current Russia Baltic Sea Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan (ker gi stan) Baltic States: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova Russia Baltic Sea Black Sea Caspian Sea Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan

Economic/Political Impacts of WW II & Cold War Nikita Krushchev emerged as Stalin’s successor (1953-1964) Beginnings of Cold War More tolerant Brought about a relative liberalization in Soviet life Removed by Politburo for failed politics/economics  Politburo – Soviet Chief executive committee

Economic/Political Impacts of WW II & Cold War Leonid Brezhnev (1964-1982) – more authoritarian & less liberal, but stable Through much of Cold War w/ U.S. Died in 1982

Effects of the Fall of Communism Mikhail Gorbachev promoted “new thinking” Glasnost - open public discussion of probs Perestroika – restructuring of economy Successful? Economic reforms failed & Soviet economy collapsed! Gorbachev was last general secretary of Soviet Communist Party 1991 Boris Yeltsin became Russia’s 1st democratically elected president The Soviet Union ceased to exist

Effects of the Fall of Communism Russia went through immense stress during 1990s Moved from centrally controlled economy to free-market system 1999 Yeltsin resigned, turned power over to his prime minister, Vladimir Putin Putin served 2 terms as president, then became prime minister Began fostering new relationship w/ U.S. Current President? Putin no limit on # terms, just no more than 2 consecutive terms