Russian Economy By: Sarah Golden, Vivian Zou, and Kristy Rose Arnott

Resources in Russia Despite their bad economy in the past, Russia has many recourses. They could actually have a growing economy. They have large deposits of coal, oil, and gas. Russian minerals include nickel, iron ore, tin, and gold. The southwestern part of their country has rich grain. They have one of the biggest fishing industries in the world. The abundance of forests in Siberia leads to a large export of timber. In conclusion, Russia has a multitude of different recorses. Despite their bad economy in the past, Russia has many recourses. They could actually have a growing economy. They have large deposits of coal, oil, and gas. Russian minerals include nickel, iron ore, tin, and gold. The southwestern part of their country has rich grain. They have one of the biggest fishing industries in the world. The abundance of forests in Siberia leads to a large export of timber. In conclusion, Russia has a multitude of different recorses.

It’s Always Tougher in Russia– the Economy is no Exception So if Russia has all of these resources, why is their economy bad? The answer goes far back in history. During the 1500s, emperors known as czars ruled the land. Ivan the IV, a czar, had total control over the land. If people didn’t obey what he said, it could cost them their lives. Czars conquered surrounding territories. This caused many non-Russian people to be forced into the country. Some of the people in Russia were known as serfs, people that worked as farmers and could be bought or sold through the country. As you can see, Russian economy on the past has been very tough.So if Russia has all of these resources, why is their economy bad? The answer goes far back in history. During the 1500s, emperors known as czars ruled the land. Ivan the IV, a czar, had total control over the land. If people didn’t obey what he said, it could cost them their lives. Czars conquered surrounding territories. This caused many non-Russian people to be forced into the country. Some of the people in Russia were known as serfs, people that worked as farmers and could be bought or sold through the country. As you can see, Russian economy on the past has been very tough.

Russian Rulers Russian rulers’ lives contrasted greatly from the normal people. They spoke French as well as Russian to allow easy communication between surrounding countries. They wore fancy, European clothes and went to royal balls and parties. They lived in palaces. Sounds like a pretty good life, do you agree? It was, but with the rulers of Russia using all of the country’s money for their personal luxuries, the citizens lived a poor and work-filled life.

New Changes This period of new changes began in the late 1800s. Czar Alexander II freed the serfs. They were able to leave the country and start a new life. Russia began to industrialize. It changed its economy to rely more on manufacturing than farming. Railroads opened across the country for transportation. This idea both changed and helped the country.

Russia’s Government While Russia improved their economy, they did not progress politically. The citizens wanted freedom, equality, and a share in governing the country. The strict czars ignored these commands. In 1917 Czar Nicholas II was forced to give up the throne. A man named Viadimir Lenin was a leader in the Russian Revolution. They set up a communist state. Now the government had a strong control over the economy and the society as a whole. In 1922 the communist leaders were securely in power. They formed the U.S.S.R.– or the Soviet Union. The government took complete control over the economy. The Russians began to dislike this. Cruel punishments such as death would occur if the Russians didn’t obey the rules. The main cause of these problems was Joseph Stalin, who was eventually kicked out. Mikhail Gorbachev, a new and better leader took control. He made a lot of things improve and the Russian Government and economy began to stabilize.

Economic Regions Russia has four main economic regions: Port Cities, the Volga and Urals region, the Moscow Region, and Siberia. Two main port cities are Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. Port Cities are mainly used for transportation. The Volga and Urals Region consists of the Volga River and the Ural Mountains. The river is rich in hydroelectric power. The mountains have an abundance of minerals, such as bauxite. Russia has four main economic regions: Port Cities, the Volga and Urals region, the Moscow Region, and Siberia. Two main port cities are Kaliningrad and St. Petersburg. Port Cities are mainly used for transportation. The Volga and Urals Region consists of the Volga River and the Ural Mountains. The river is rich in hydroelectric power. The mountains have an abundance of minerals, such as bauxite.