1. Write the statement and answer.
T / F The steppe region is made up of mountainous terrain.
T / F The main reason behind the shrinking of the Aral Sea is human’s use of the water to irrigate farmland.
T / F Siberia covers only 50 % of Russia’s land.
T / F The most fertile soil in Russia is in the east, while the resources are located in the mountains to the west.

2. Russia and the Western Republics
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Belarus
Moldova
Ukraine
Georgia

3. Symbol Russia and the Western Republics 1613 Romanov Dynasty begins.
1555
Architecture: Construction on St. Basil’s Cathedral begins in Moscow. It was completed in 1562.
1613
Romanov Dynasty begins.
1652
Nikon becomes head of the Russian Orthodox Church and makes reforms that lead to the Great Schism (religious upheaval).
Symbol
1682
Peter the Great becomes czar. He begins to modernize Russia and moves the capital to St. Petersburg.
1812
Napoleon retreats after failing to conquer Russia.

4. 1861
Czar Alexander II issues an order freeing all Russian serfs (peasants in servitude to work off their debt).
1917
The Russian Revolution occurs. Lenin takes power. Stalin takes over in 1939.
1922
Russia becomes part of the Soviet Union.
1991
The Soviet Union falls, and Russia becomes independent.
2000
Vladimir Putin is elected president.

5. Communists were inspired by German philosopher Karl Marx
Command economy
Laborers worked together on collective farms, which caused many to starve
Rebellion resulted in swift punishment from the police
Since the Soviet’s fall, the government has tried to become less involved in the economy

6. Fun facts Ethnic Diversity
Russian – 80 %; 70 different peoples, including Finnish, Turkic, and Mongolian peoples
Religions – Orthodox Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism (persecuted)
Art – closely related to religion through churches and mosques with domes and icons
Writers: Aleksandr Pushkin and Feodor Dostoyevsky
Composers: Peter Tchaikovsky and Igor Stravinsky
Ballet companies produce dancers and choreographers
Censorship and socialist realism

7. Change since 1991 Influence from other nations
More social and cultural opportunity
Books, movies, magazines, music, clothes, and newspapers from all over
Native traditions still survive, mainly in foods
Dachas – weekend homes with gardens (30%)
Banyas – a spa-like tradition that includes time spent in a sauna, steam room, and then ice water

8. Timeline symbols
Choose two events (one on each page) on the timeline to come up with a symbolic representation of what happened.
Draw the symbol in the empty box on each page and turn in when complete.
Due TOMORROW 01/10.

9. Historical Facts Answer in complete sentences.
What argument was named a war in the 1960s during which no fighting occurred between the United States and Russia?
How does Russia transport people into and resources out of Siberia?
What does USSR stand for?
Name two important czars in Russian history.
What type of government and what type of economy took over Russia for most of the 20th century?

10. Transcaucasia Trade routes near the Black Sea Various languages
Multiple religions
Conflicts since 1991
Russia’s expansion
Agriculture
“Land of flames”

11. Sea v. Lake Lake – large body of water surrounded by land
Sea - the expanse of salt water that covers most of the earth's surface and surrounds its landmasses
Ocean - a very large expanse of sea, in particular, each of the main areas into which the sea is divided geographically

12. Caspian: Sea or Lake??
Whichever it is determines how the resources in this region are divided among the five bordering countries.
How can development of the oil resources in the Caspian Sea affect the environment?
Which would benefit which countries more and how would it help them?

13. Transcaucasia Republics Language families Religions Agriculture
Industries

15. Draw and fill in the following:
Democracy
Communism

16. Modern Life in Transcaucasia
Education: 99% are literate after receiving training for industrialization and modernization under the Soviets (priority)
Maintained tradition, especially at mealtime
Supra – gathering with a lot of food, drink, toasts, and speeches
Bringing people together is very important to them – a goal for the future of the region

17. Read the following and tell me what you can infer about the contents of this section
A Historical Crossroads
The Silk Road
The Great Game
An Uncertain Economic Future
Nuclear Testing
Petroleum and Prosperity
Cultures Divided and Conquered
Soviets Form Nations
Language and Religion
The Survival of Tradition
Nomadic Heritage
Yurts
Preserving Traditions

18. Answer the following questions on a sheet of notebook paper
Why are there so many different routes between Dunhuang and Merv on the Silk Road?
How did the Silk Road affect Central Asia?
How is silk clothing made?
What environmental problem has caused widespread health problems in Central Asia? What are some of these problems?
What resources help the economy in Central Asia?

19. How did the Soviets contribute to the instability of the nations of Central Asia?
What two forces unify the people in this region?
What is a yurt and what is it made of? Why is it so important to natives?
How are the Kyrgyz people preserving the nomadic tradition?
When you finish, please work on vocab or sit quietly .