Modern RussiaModern Russia

History OverviewHistory Overview Descendents of East SlavsDescendents of East Slavs 800s: Kievan Rus = loose union of city 800s: Kievan Rus = loose union of city

states (Princes)states (Princes) 1200s: Mongol control1200s: Mongol control 1400s: Ivan the Great- overthrew Mongols, 1400s: Ivan the Great- overthrew Mongols,

united Russia, built the Kremlinunited Russia, built the Kremlin 1600s: Romanov Czars (dynasty)- trade/ 1600s: Romanov Czars (dynasty)- trade/

military/ size; gap b/w nobles and serfs military/ size; gap b/w nobles and serfs 1800s: Rise in nationalism = Russification1800s: Rise in nationalism = Russification 1900s: Class struggles 1900s: Class struggles 1917 revolution 1917 revolution

– Bolsheviks (Lenin) create communist stateBolsheviks (Lenin) create communist state 1921: USSR established 1921: USSR established 1950(ish): Cold War begins 1950(ish): Cold War begins

U.S.-Soviet DÉTENTEU.S.-Soviet DÉTENTE

1.1. What does What does détentedétente mean? mean? The relaxation of strained relationsThe relaxation of strained relations

2.2. Why did Pres. Nixon push this policy?Why did Pres. Nixon push this policy? The fight against communism in Vietnam was a The fight against communism in Vietnam was a

disaster; threat of nuclear warfare.disaster; threat of nuclear warfare.

3.3. What changesWhat changes took place b/w the superpowers took place b/w the superpowers after the SALT treaties?after the SALT treaties?

Making of nuclear arms drastically reduced; Making of nuclear arms drastically reduced; observation of each other; space explorationobservation of each other; space exploration

4.4. Why & when did this era end?Why & when did this era end? Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979/1980; Reagan Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979/1980; Reagan

elected (staunch opponent of U.S.S.R.)elected (staunch opponent of U.S.S.R.)

1980s1980s1.1. Who did the grain embargo most greatly affect Who did the grain embargo most greatly affect

& why?& why?• Soviets bought most of their grain from the U.S. Soviets bought most of their grain from the U.S.

during Détente…..grain embargo stops trade……during Détente…..grain embargo stops trade……American farmers lose money/Soviet people lose American farmers lose money/Soviet people lose major source of food.major source of food.

2.2. What was the US response to the Soviet What was the US response to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?invasion of Afghanistan?

• 1980 Olympics in Moscow are boycotted to send a 1980 Olympics in Moscow are boycotted to send a message….hurts expected income from message….hurts expected income from Olympics…. Olympics…. Détente endsDétente ends

3.3. What was Reagan’s viewpoint on the USSR & What was Reagan’s viewpoint on the USSR & what campaigns did he put into place?what campaigns did he put into place?

• U.S.S.R. was seen as the “Evil Empire;” military and U.S.S.R. was seen as the “Evil Empire;” military and arms race picks back up; space race.arms race picks back up; space race.

MIKHAIL GORBACHEVMIKHAIL GORBACHEV1.1. List a minimum of 4 things Gorbachev List a minimum of 4 things Gorbachev

believed/did differently from former leaders?believed/did differently from former leaders? Urges relationship with West; the fight against Alcoholism; Urges relationship with West; the fight against Alcoholism;

doesn’t use military force to keep power; emphasizes greater doesn’t use military force to keep power; emphasizes greater research and technology.research and technology.

2.2. What does What does perestroikaperestroika & & glasnostglasnost mean? How mean? How did they weaken the central government.?did they weaken the central government.?

• Restructuring and Openness; introduction of free Restructuring and Openness; introduction of free market and democracy; communist regimes are market and democracy; communist regimes are extinguished.extinguished.

3.3. What symbolized the collapse of communism What symbolized the collapse of communism in C & E Europe? How did it affect the USSR?in C & E Europe? How did it affect the USSR?

Fall of the Berlin Wall….Fall of the Berlin Wall….Soviets lose grip on Eastern Soviets lose grip on Eastern Europe, which results in declaration of Independence Europe, which results in declaration of Independence from many Soviet republicsfrom many Soviet republics….….Gorbachev doesn’t use Gorbachev doesn’t use force to keep them.force to keep them.

Won Nobel Peace Prize in 1990

Boris YeltsinBoris Yeltsin

1.1. What did early company privatization look What did early company privatization look like in Yeltsin’s era?like in Yeltsin’s era?

• Oligarchs bought all of the formerly state-owned Oligarchs bought all of the formerly state-owned businesses at extremely cheap prices….prevented any businesses at extremely cheap prices….prevented any competition; had close ties to political figures; Russian competition; had close ties to political figures; Russian people hated these groupspeople hated these groups

2.2. Describe the econ. Describe the econ. changes/crisis that changes/crisis that took place during his reform years.took place during his reform years.

• Most businesses owned by small groups….prices and Most businesses owned by small groups….prices and taxes rise…..businesses evade taxes, leading to workers taxes rise…..businesses evade taxes, leading to workers without pay.without pay.

3.3. What was the common public opinion of What was the common public opinion of Yeltsin when he left office?Yeltsin when he left office?

• Inept and incompetent-had medical problems and abused Inept and incompetent-had medical problems and abused alcohol; cared only for the wealthy; corrupt.alcohol; cared only for the wealthy; corrupt.

VLADIMIR PUTINVLADIMIR PUTIN1.1. How did Putin How did Putin change the impact of the change the impact of the

oligarchs/elite?oligarchs/elite? Took apart the companies owned by oligarchs; arrested Took apart the companies owned by oligarchs; arrested

many of the oligarch members who spoke many of the oligarch members who spoke against/opposed him.against/opposed him.

2.2. List 3 ways Putin threatened democracy in List 3 ways Putin threatened democracy in Russia.Russia.

• Censored media (govt. controlled television and Censored media (govt. controlled television and newspapers); stopped elections of governors….now the newspapers); stopped elections of governors….now the President appoints them; opposition threatened (Anna President appoints them; opposition threatened (Anna Politkovskaya) Politkovskaya)

3.3. What actions/characteristics make Putin What actions/characteristics make Putin popular in public opinion?popular in public opinion?

The economy is greatly improved, his leadership is The economy is greatly improved, his leadership is stable, people treated more fairly than with Yeltsin, only stable, people treated more fairly than with Yeltsin, only favorable publicity shown.favorable publicity shown.

DMITRI MEDVEDEVDMITRI MEDVEDEV

1.1. What is significantly different b/w What is significantly different b/w Medvedev and former leaders?Medvedev and former leaders?

• No ties to KGB or communist partiesNo ties to KGB or communist parties

2.2. Describe three positive actions he has Describe three positive actions he has done either domestically or done either domestically or internationally.internationally.

• Reforms to judicial system; raising birth rate; Reforms to judicial system; raising birth rate; helped build gas line in Kosovohelped build gas line in Kosovo

3.3. How much of a role did Putin play in How much of a role did Putin play in Medvedev’s presidency?Medvedev’s presidency?

Putin was the prime MinisterPutin was the prime Minister….some people saw Putin as ….some people saw Putin as the one running the show…..the one running the show…..Medvedev was under Putin Medvedev was under Putin when he was Presidentwhen he was President…..Medvedev said he would not …..Medvedev said he would not run against Putin if he decided to run for president.run against Putin if he decided to run for president.

Current Social and Economic Current Social and Economic StandingStanding

1.1. What are the factors attributed to falling What are the factors attributed to falling life expectancies and BRs?life expectancies and BRs?

• Alcoholism; no more free health care/ vaccinations; Alcoholism; no more free health care/ vaccinations; poor environment (from USSR); People not having kids poor environment (from USSR); People not having kids because of current standing.because of current standing.

2.2. Describe the types of business corruption Describe the types of business corruption that take place in Russia.that take place in Russia.

• Business owners pay mafia protection $; Business owners pay mafia protection $; bribes for corrupt govn’t officialsbribes for corrupt govn’t officials allow for allow for lots of tax evasion, extortion etc.lots of tax evasion, extortion etc.

Chechnya and South Chechnya and South OssetiaOssetia

1.1. What are 2 ways the conflict in Georgia is What are 2 ways the conflict in Georgia is related to the conflict in Chechnya?related to the conflict in Chechnya?

• Chechen refugees & rebels fled to Georgia bringing Chechen refugees & rebels fled to Georgia bringing them in to conflict; South Ossetia is trying to break free them in to conflict; South Ossetia is trying to break free from Georgia (they fight back) just like Chechnya is from Georgia (they fight back) just like Chechnya is trying to break from Russiatrying to break from Russia

2.2. Compare the reaxns of Russia’s public Compare the reaxns of Russia’s public opinion to that of outsiders over the event opinion to that of outsiders over the event in Chechnya.in Chechnya.

• World disapproves of Russia aggressiveness; but World disapproves of Russia aggressiveness; but Russian ppl want strong force b/c of massacresRussian ppl want strong force b/c of massacres

3.3. How is the Chechnya-Russia conflict similar How is the Chechnya-Russia conflict similar to conflicts in the ME & the former to conflicts in the ME & the former Yugoslavia?Yugoslavia?

• Both of religious & ethnic differences; places want Both of religious & ethnic differences; places want freedom, but denied and violence breaks outfreedom, but denied and violence breaks out

Beslan School Crisis

2004

Russia Response EssayRussia Response EssayChoose 1 prompt. One page (minimum) due Choose 1 prompt. One page (minimum) due

Monday. Remember AP is next year!!Monday. Remember AP is next year!!

1.1. Is Russia a working democracy? Provide Is Russia a working democracy? Provide at least 3 pieces of evidence to support at least 3 pieces of evidence to support your answer.your answer.

2.2. Do you believe Russia is better today or Do you believe Russia is better today or during the time of the Soviet Union? during the time of the Soviet Union? Provide at least 3 pieces of evidence to Provide at least 3 pieces of evidence to support your answer.support your answer.

3.3. Which Soviet/Russian leader had the Which Soviet/Russian leader had the greatest impact on Russia today? greatest impact on Russia today? Provide at least 3 pieces of evidence to Provide at least 3 pieces of evidence to support your answer.support your answer.