New Nation-States from the Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?

“Iron Felix” Dzerzhinsky Russian Revolution of 1917 destroyed the czarist empire created a new state called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or Soviet Union, in 1922 statue of Dzerzhinsky in a Moscow square reminded people that the police were always watching

Terms Nationalism – feelings of loyalty and pride toward one’s nation or ethnic group. Sometimes includes the belief that one’s nation is better than others. Nation – a large group of people who share a common history and culture. Not all nations have their own government or control territory. State – a political unit that controls a particular territory. Nation-state – an independent state, or country, whose people mostly share a common identity.

The Geographic Setting 2 ½ times the size of the US 3rd largest population USSR- Superpower from 1945-1990 Collapsed in 1991 = largest failed state

Features of Successful Nation-States Security Political freedom Economic growth Quality of life National unity

Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant

Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant Arid Some agriculture & Pastoral Greatest resource = minerals OIL!

Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant Ethnic Conflicts Create a Split Kazakhs (Muslims) ½ Population live in the southern countryside Russians (Christians) 1/3 Population live in the north where the Soviets developed heavy industry

Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant Serious environmental problems Pesticides in water supply Toxic waste Nuclear testing backlash Looking ahead Resource use to promote economic growth Solving environmental problems Calming ethnic conflict

Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia

Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia Rich in Oil #1 export Capital Baku finest harbor in Caspian Sea Soviets sent oil to Russia Works with foreign oil companies to open to new markets

Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia Ethnic Warfare clouds the future Azeris (Muslim)= 90% population Armenian (Christian) = 2% population Nagorno-Karabakh region has Armenian’s who want independence. 1992 war, cease fire 1994; tensions still high

Belarus: Between Europe and Russia

Belarus: Between Europe and Russia Landlocked 11,000 lakes Past – agriculture and logging Today 1/5 destroyed by Chernobyl

Belarus: Between Europe and Russia Strong Russian Influence 81% Belarusian 11% Russian Developed during Soviet rule Russia biggest trading partner Disagree about labor, trade and government control

Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States

Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States Rich soil = good crops Baltic sea = good fishing Limited mineral wealth

Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States 1st to declare independence from Russia 1990 European models for democratic government 2004 member of EU Also member of NATO Lithuanians vote in female president

Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth

Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth Vast forests and mineral wealth (coal, oil and natural gas) Too cold to farm

Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth Soviet government owned everything (sold to powerful political leaders) Business private, but not run well Economy still growing

Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth Challenges High crime rate, housing costly, alcohol abuse rising and pollution a major concern Ethnic nationalism and religious divisions Russian Orthodox Church majority Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Christians minority

15 Nation States Estonia Latvia Lithuania Belarus Ukraine Moldova Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Kazakhstan Russia