Russia

Volga River Connects Moscow to the Caspian Sea Connects Moscow to the Caspian Sea Provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and drinking water Provides hydroelectric power, irrigation, and drinking water Pollution a problem Pollution a problem

Cold climate Most of Russia is subarctic Most of Russia is subarctic Businesses and industries must make adjustments to the extreme cold Businesses and industries must make adjustments to the extreme cold Permafrost- a permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground Permafrost- a permanently frozen layer of soil beneath the surface of the ground

WWII When Germans attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941, they thought they could win a quick victory When Germans attacked the Soviet Union in June 1941, they thought they could win a quick victory By November, the Germans had almost reached Moscow By November, the Germans had almost reached Moscow The winter, however, arrived early (temp. as low as -40°F) The winter, however, arrived early (temp. as low as -40°F)

WWII (con’t) German problems: summer uniforms, tanks and vehicles unable to move German problems: summer uniforms, tanks and vehicles unable to move Germans retreated Germans retreated

Russian history Earliest settlers were the Slavs who eventually separated into different groups: Earliest settlers were the Slavs who eventually separated into different groups: –West: Poles, Czechs, Slovaks –South: Bulgarians, Croats, Serbs –East: Russians, Ukranians, etc.

Eastern Orthodox Christians Eastern Orthodox Christians Moscow settled by Slavs fleeing from Mongols Moscow settled by Slavs fleeing from Mongols Late 1600s- Czar Peter I (Peter the Great) came to power to modernize Russia Late 1600s- Czar Peter I (Peter the Great) came to power to modernize Russia Catherine the Great- continued to expand Russia’s empire Catherine the Great- continued to expand Russia’s empire

Russia begins to adopt European ways Russia begins to adopt European ways –Czars speak French instead of Russian –Cultural gap between nobility and serfs –Non-Russians begin to enter

Russian Revolution 1800s 1800s Serfs and non-Russian people want freedom Serfs and non-Russian people want freedom Inspired by French and American Revolutions Inspired by French and American Revolutions By 1917, the reign of the czars was over By 1917, the reign of the czars was over

The Soviet Era The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seize control of the government The Bolsheviks, led by Lenin, seize control of the government Believe in communism- called for a violent overthrow of the gov’t and the creation of society led by workers Believe in communism- called for a violent overthrow of the gov’t and the creation of society led by workers Dealt harshly with their opponents  a civil war (Bolshevik Red Army vs. anti- Bolshevik White Army) Dealt harshly with their opponents  a civil war (Bolshevik Red Army vs. anti- Bolshevik White Army)

After WWII Cold War- the struggle between two competing systems – communist and capitalist- for world influence and power Cold War- the struggle between two competing systems – communist and capitalist- for world influence and power USSR vs. USA USSR vs. USA Each side had nuclear weapons, outright conflict was avoided Each side had nuclear weapons, outright conflict was avoided Used propaganda, the threat of force, and economic aid to developing countries as “weapons” Used propaganda, the threat of force, and economic aid to developing countries as “weapons”

Environmental Problems Pollution of water sources: Volta River and Black Sea, Lake Baikal Pollution of water sources: Volta River and Black Sea, Lake Baikal Nuclear waste: by-products of nuclear power; great danger to people and environment Nuclear waste: by-products of nuclear power; great danger to people and environment Chernobyl nuclear reactor leaked radiation, transported by air to other areas Chernobyl nuclear reactor leaked radiation, transported by air to other areas –People exposed to deadly levels of radiation –By mid 1990s over 8,000 people had died