1. Russia’s moving boundaries
Russian revolutions
Russia’s moving boundaries

2. Overview In the 1800s, Russia was an Empire with a Czar (Tsar).
In the 1900s, Russia formed the Soviet Union under Communist control.
Today, it is called The Russian Federation, and is a democracy*.
In each time period, Russia has colonized, controlled or entered into agreements with its neighbor states.

3. Russian empire 1500’s-1917 9.6 Million Square miles
Ruled by the Russian Tsars (royal family)
The dark green shows direct rule, the light green shows influence and obedience
It included part of the current USA!

4. Soviet union 1918-1991 8.7 million Square miles
Ruled by Moscow’s Communist Party
Many present-day Russian neighbours were part of the Soviet Union.
Official name was the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

5. Ex-soviet states 1991+ There are Fourteen ex soviet States
Russia is the 15th
When the Soviet Union collapsed, 7 countries joined Europe and 7 joined Asia
Soviet Union fell apart when the Idea of Democracy spread throughout the country and people were tired of direct control.

6. Russian federation 1991+ Russia today is 6.5 million square Miles.
14 countries border Russia.
Largest single country on earth
Spans two continents.

7. Russian federation today
Vladimir Putin is Russia’s President.
He will be in power until 2018 or 2024 (6 year terms)
The United States and Russia are bilateral (equal) diplomats, but due to the very recent events in Syria, the United States has been on the edge of breaking ties.
Rise and Fall of the S
Soviet Union.

8. So why is this Important?
Russian control extends much further than its borders, and Russia is a major world player today.
Many different groups of people were forced to be part of the Soviet Union, leading to years of conflict, turmoil, and changing geographic borders.
Soviet control changed the borders of both Asia and Europe.
Communism changed International relations.

9. What’s to come? We will take a closer look at Communism
We will discuss the Berlin Wall
We will understand and analyze the effects of the Cold War and Cuban Missile Crisis