Cultural Geography of Russia Chapter 15

Population of Russia

Ethnic Groups in Russia Before the Soviet Union More than 70 distinct groups More than 70 distinct groups As country grew from territory to an empire it took over many areas with NON Russian ethnic groups As country grew from territory to an empire it took over many areas with NON Russian ethnic groups Included an even greater variety of groups when became part of Soviet Union Included an even greater variety of groups when became part of Soviet Union

The Soviet Era 1922 and and 1991 Russia was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union Russia was part of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) or Soviet Union Republics were created based the locations of major ethnic groups or nationalities Republics were created based the locations of major ethnic groups or nationalities Many of the ethnic groups included were not RUSSIANS Many of the ethnic groups included were not RUSSIANS Several of the larger republics including Russia became independent countries Several of the larger republics including Russia became independent countries

Major Ethnic Groups 32 ethnic groups now have own republics or administrative territories within Russia 32 ethnic groups now have own republics or administrative territories within Russia About 80% of population is ethnic Russian and are part of a larger group known as the Slavs who dominate the country’s politics and culture About 80% of population is ethnic Russian and are part of a larger group known as the Slavs who dominate the country’s politics and culture The Caucasians are in southwestern Russia The Caucasians are in southwestern Russia Turkic-speaking peoples Turkic-speaking peoples – live in southwestern in the Caucasus area and middle Volga area –Most numerous of them are the Tatars and 1/3 of them live in Tatarstan a republic that has a limited amount of sovereignty The Sakha are a combination of Turkic and local groups who originally settled along the middle Lena River The Sakha are a combination of Turkic and local groups who originally settled along the middle Lena River

Population Distribution 75% of all Russians live in western Russia because this area has rich soil, waterways, milder climate than eastern Russia (densely settled and industrialized cities) 75% of all Russians live in western Russia because this area has rich soil, waterways, milder climate than eastern Russia (densely settled and industrialized cities) Moscow is the major industrial city in western Russia and its capital Moscow is the major industrial city in western Russia and its capital Since 1990 population growth has leveled or decreased Since 1990 population growth has leveled or decreased Populations in Ural Mountains and Siberia (2/3s of land area of Russia) Populations in Ural Mountains and Siberia (2/3s of land area of Russia) –more dispersed – only 25% population live here –about 6 million –frozen tundra, mts, forests make most of this part of Russia unsuitable for farming

Migration Patterns During early years of Soviet era many ethnic Russians migrated to non Russian republics of the Soviet Union During early years of Soviet era many ethnic Russians migrated to non Russian republics of the Soviet Union Trend began to reverse in 1970s and since breakup of SU in 1991 Trend began to reverse in 1970s and since breakup of SU in 1991 More Russians have returned to their homeland and settled in Moscow, St Petersburg, and southwestern Russia (BEB) More Russians have returned to their homeland and settled in Moscow, St Petersburg, and southwestern Russia (BEB) Number moving in is greater than number leaving the country now! Number moving in is greater than number leaving the country now!

Culture of Russia

Languages During Soviet Era Russian was official language Russian was official language You could be punished if spoke any other You could be punished if spoke any other

Languages Since 1991 Russian is still the official language and is main language of ethnic Russians Russian is still the official language and is main language of ethnic Russians 100s of others are spoken 100s of others are spoken Other ethnic groups tend to be bilingual speaking their own language and Russian Other ethnic groups tend to be bilingual speaking their own language and Russian

Religion During the Soviet Era Soviet Union strictly discouraged religious practices and discriminated against certain groups Soviet Union strictly discouraged religious practices and discriminated against certain groups Promoted atheism: or the belief that there is NO god or other supreme being Promoted atheism: or the belief that there is NO god or other supreme being late 1980s began to relax restrictions late 1980s began to relax restrictions

Religion Since 1991 Restrictions were placed again on activities of new religious groups in 1997 because of all the foreign missionaries from western Christian denominations coming in after fall of SU Restrictions were placed again on activities of new religious groups in 1997 because of all the foreign missionaries from western Christian denominations coming in after fall of SU No restrictions on Russian Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism No restrictions on Russian Orthodoxy, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism Russian branch of Orthodox Church is most common form of Christianity and Roman Catholics and Protestants have also re-emerged Russian branch of Orthodox Church is most common form of Christianity and Roman Catholics and Protestants have also re-emerged Second largest religion is Islam and is practiced by those who live in Caucasus region and b/t Volga River and Ural Mts(follow Sunni branch) Second largest religion is Islam and is practiced by those who live in Caucasus region and b/t Volga River and Ural Mts(follow Sunni branch) Judaism exists but is limited given history of persecution in Russia even before the Soviet Union Judaism exists but is limited given history of persecution in Russia even before the Soviet Union Large number of Buddhists in Tuva, Buryatia, and Kalmykia and small number also in St Petersburg and Moscow Large number of Buddhists in Tuva, Buryatia, and Kalmykia and small number also in St Petersburg and Moscow

Education During Soviet Era Free AND mandatory Free AND mandatory Emphasis on math and science rather than language art history Emphasis on math and science rather than language art history Produced generations of technology focused govt officials Produced generations of technology focused govt officials Govt officals, educators, writers and artists made up the Soviet intelligentisia= intellectual elite Govt officals, educators, writers and artists made up the Soviet intelligentisia= intellectual elite

Education Since 1991 the curriculum now includes history, language, and literature the curriculum now includes history, language, and literature now have choice in different types of schools now have choice in different types of schools unstable economy means limited budgets unstable economy means limited budgets low pay and low morale make some teachers leave low pay and low morale make some teachers leave students are often more focused on making money than getting an education students are often more focused on making money than getting an education

Healthcare During the Soviet Era Provided by the government Provided by the government Not always that great Not always that great

Healthcare Since 1991 Quality and availability has gotten worse Quality and availability has gotten worse Have to pay for it yourself and is privately owned and operated Have to pay for it yourself and is privately owned and operated Average life expect: 66 years (12 years shorter than US) Average life expect: 66 years (12 years shorter than US) Infant mortality rate is 12 compared to US 6.6 Infant mortality rate is 12 compared to US 6.6 Since 1992 death rate has exceeded birthrate=negative growth pop Since 1992 death rate has exceeded birthrate=negative growth pop Common threats to the well-being of the Russian people Common threats to the well-being of the Russian people –Disease –lifestyle choices such as smoking alcohol –inefficient healthcare Other issues straining the already poor system Other issues straining the already poor system –Aging population – rising infertility –Increasing rates of infectious diseases Those few clinics and hospitals still run by govt are often inefficient and lose capable staff to poor pay Those few clinics and hospitals still run by govt are often inefficient and lose capable staff to poor pay

Art During the Soviet Era Social realism Social realism –Soviet govt limited individual artistic expression –Believed it was artists duty to glorify the govt’s achievements in their workers –artists who didn’t follow these guidelines were punished) At most repressive in Soviet Era some works used to be smuggled out from Russia and printed in other countries At most repressive in Soviet Era some works used to be smuggled out from Russia and printed in other countries

Art in more recent years Govt allows printing of previously unpublished works and new materials Govt allows printing of previously unpublished works and new materials

Family Life During Soviet Era Housing was provided by government Housing was provided by government Not as great as it sounds Not as great as it sounds

Family Life Since 1991 due to housing shortage most live in large apartment blocks due to housing shortage most live in large apartment blocks apartments very small usually with bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom for a family of 4 apartments very small usually with bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom for a family of 4 extended family often lives together= newly married couples live at home until can afford own home extended family often lives together= newly married couples live at home until can afford own home grandmothers (babushkas) may live with adult children and grandchildren and help with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children grandmothers (babushkas) may live with adult children and grandchildren and help with cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children

Leisure/Recreation During Soviet Era Sports was VERY important Sports was VERY important Govt was competitive with rest of world pushing athletes to be the best at all costs Govt was competitive with rest of world pushing athletes to be the best at all costs Christmas was prohibited from being celebrated as well as any other religious holidays Christmas was prohibited from being celebrated as well as any other religious holidays

Leisure/Recreation Since 1991 Attending concerts, the ballet, the theater, sports both amateur and professional are popular Attending concerts, the ballet, the theater, sports both amateur and professional are popular Popular sports are tennis, track and field, ice hockey, figure skaters and gymnasts which have had international success Popular sports are tennis, track and field, ice hockey, figure skaters and gymnasts which have had international success May Day is observed as a spring festival May Day is observed as a spring festival Traditional religious holidays like Christmas has reemerged but celebrated on January 7th as is an Eastern Orthodox tradition Traditional religious holidays like Christmas has reemerged but celebrated on January 7th as is an Eastern Orthodox tradition

The History of Russia Chapter 15 section 2 Fill in timeline as review!

600’s First settlers in Russia First settlers in Russia Slav farmers, hunters, and fishers Slav farmers, hunters, and fishers settled in Northern European Plain settled in Northern European Plain

800s-1100s Kievan Rus Slavic communities organized into loose union of city states that were ruled by princes Slavic communities organized into loose union of city states that were ruled by princes Leading city state was Kiev because it was along a prosperous trading route Leading city state was Kiev because it was along a prosperous trading route Fighting amongst the city states made them weak Fighting amongst the city states made them weak

1200s-1400s The Mongols The Mongols from Central Asia The Mongols from Central Asia Allowed self rule Allowed self rule Continued to control the areas for more than 200 years Continued to control the areas for more than 200 years

The Rise of Russia in the 1400s Many Slavs fled to in order to escape Mongol rule to territory of Muscovy set up along the Moskva River Many Slavs fled to in order to escape Mongol rule to territory of Muscovy set up along the Moskva River City of Moscow was created at its center City of Moscow was created at its center The area linked by rivers to major trade routes and surrounded by land good for farming and fur trapping The area linked by rivers to major trade routes and surrounded by land good for farming and fur trapping

Ivan III: The Great Prince of Muscovy Prince of Muscovy Brought many Slav territories under his control Brought many Slav territories under his control Expanded territory became known as Russia Expanded territory became known as Russia In Moscow built huge fortress called the Kremlin and filled the city with churches and palaces In Moscow built huge fortress called the Kremlin and filled the city with churches and palaces

Ivan IV: The Terrible First crowned czar (supreme ruler) First crowned czar (supreme ruler) Crushed all opposition to his rule Crushed all opposition to his rule Expanded borders into non-Slavic territories Expanded borders into non-Slavic territories

The Romanov Dynasty Begins 1600s In 1613 In 1613 Government tightened its grip on the people to deal with problems Government tightened its grip on the people to deal with problems By 1650 many peasants had become serfs=basically like slaves and forced to stay on land of nobles and work for them By 1650 many peasants had become serfs=basically like slaves and forced to stay on land of nobles and work for them

Peter the Great Built St Petersburg along the Baltic sea to gain a warm water sea port Determined to modernize Russia Built St Petersburg along the Baltic sea to gain a warm water sea port Determined to modernize Russia Increased territory Increased territory built strong army built strong army developed trade with western nations developed trade with western nations

Catherine the Great Late 1700s Late 1700s Expanded Russian empire Expanded Russian empire Gained warm water port on Black Sea Gained warm water port on Black Sea Now many non-Russians were under their rule Now many non-Russians were under their rule

Alexander II freed serfs in 1861 freed serfs in 1861 Provided no education Provided no education Many moved to cities were faced poor conditions and low wages in factories Many moved to cities were faced poor conditions and low wages in factories

Alexander III In 1891 began expanding Russia into Siberia In 1891 began expanding Russia into Siberia Constructed the Trans-Siberian Railroad Constructed the Trans-Siberian Railroad

The Russian Revolution Freed serfs were struggling in cities Freed serfs were struggling in cities Non-Russians were treated with prejudice by govt with policy of Russification: speak Russian and practice Eastern Orthodoxy are punished Non-Russians were treated with prejudice by govt with policy of Russification: speak Russian and practice Eastern Orthodoxy are punished Some began to like the idea of socialism which called for economic equality Some began to like the idea of socialism which called for economic equality Karl Marx believed property should be shared by all, no classes should exist and everyone have equal shares of wealth. Said eventually workers would fight the wealthy for this Karl Marx believed property should be shared by all, no classes should exist and everyone have equal shares of wealth. Said eventually workers would fight the wealthy for this Czar Nicholas II had put Russia in WWI and in 1917 they were losing miserably Czar Nicholas II had put Russia in WWI and in 1917 they were losing miserably Nicholas had to abandon the throne and the next year he and his family were killed Nicholas had to abandon the throne and the next year he and his family were killed

The Soviet Era The Bolsheviks were a revolutionary group led by Vladimir Lenin who believed in communism The Bolsheviks were a revolutionary group led by Vladimir Lenin who believed in communism –Took over industry, food distribution and created 8 hour work day –Won civil war fought against those resisting them –Created USSR in 1922: Union of Soviet Socialist Republics AKA Soviet Union Joseph Stalin became leader in 1924 Joseph Stalin became leader in 1924 –Took control of all farms and factories –Those who disagreed with him he eliminated(killed millions)

A Super Power Superpower by end of WWII in 1945 Superpower by end of WWII in 1945 Controlled most of Eastern Europe and those nations were called satellites Controlled most of Eastern Europe and those nations were called satellites The Cold War Lasted for 4 decades b/t US and Soviet Union who struggled over nations becoming either communist or democratic capitalists. The Cold War Lasted for 4 decades b/t US and Soviet Union who struggled over nations becoming either communist or democratic capitalists. Both built up destructive nuclear weapons but did not used Both built up destructive nuclear weapons but did not used weapons used were propaganda, the threat of force, and sending aid to developing countries weapons used were propaganda, the threat of force, and sending aid to developing countries

Collapse of Soviet Union Caused by weakening economy Caused by weakening economy Encouraged also by Mikhail Gorbachev who became leader in 1985 and allowed some private ownership for business and allowed people to be more outspoken about their govt Encouraged also by Mikhail Gorbachev who became leader in 1985 and allowed some private ownership for business and allowed people to be more outspoken about their govt 1991 most republics declared their independence and the Union collapsed 1991 most republics declared their independence and the Union collapsed First elected president of the Russian republic=Boris Yeltsin First elected president of the Russian republic=Boris Yeltsin

The New Russia DRAMA: going from government making all decisions to people making them has caused unemployment and prices to go way up but has been improving since 2000 DRAMA: going from government making all decisions to people making them has caused unemployment and prices to go way up but has been improving since 2000 MORE DRAMA: Some wars have been fought in 1990s and recently as ethnic territories demand greater self rule MORE DRAMA: Some wars have been fought in 1990s and recently as ethnic territories demand greater self rule Current president is Vladimir Putin who has helped stabilize the economy with reforms but most recent changes shows he is stepping away from democracy  Current president is Vladimir Putin who has helped stabilize the economy with reforms but most recent changes shows he is stepping away from democracy 