Russian History Three Eras: Czarist Russia, Soviet Union, & Russia Today

CZARIST RUSSIA Ivan III (Ivan the Great) CZARIST RUSSIA Ivan III (Ivan the Great) Conquered territory around Moscow, tripling the size of Russia Conquered territory around Moscow, tripling the size of Russia Liberated Russia from Mongols Liberated Russia from Mongols Laid the foundation for absolute monarchy Laid the foundation for absolute monarchy

Ivan the Terrible (ruled: ) Grandson of Ivan III Grandson of Ivan III Strengthened the monarchy: first “official” czar of Russia. Laws restricted the mobility of the peasants, which would eventually lead to serfdom Added territory, unified Russia Created a code of laws Ruthless: Exiled or executed many of his nobles at the slightest provocation.

Peter the Great (ruled: ) Gains territory, transformed Russia into a world power Gains territory, transformed Russia into a world power Looks to Western Europe for changes Looks to Western Europe for changes Introduced the potato Started a newspaper Raised women’s status Introduced western clothing to Russia Opened schools – arts & sciences

Catherine the Great Catherine II (Ruled: )  Most admired of all the Russian rulers.  German princess who married a Russian prince.  Educated and well read  Expands empire to Black Sea area.

Nicholas II (rule: ) Not prepared for the responsibilities of the throne. Did not allow representative power of the people. Russia went from a great power to an economic & military disaster (WWI) Accomplishments: Trans Siberian Railroad (see map left) Factories doubled

Events leading up to the Russian & Bolshevik Revolutions 1917 a series of revolutions that led to the dissolution of czarist Russia Bloody Sunday 1905: Demonstrators petitioning the palace were gunned down. Bloody Sunday 1905: Demonstrators petitioning the palace were gunned down. Extreme Poverty of the freed serfs, food shortages Extreme Poverty of the freed serfs, food shortages WWI (1914) – Russia forced into war, suffered huge losses & social & economic problems worsened. WWI (1914) – Russia forced into war, suffered huge losses & social & economic problems worsened. Nicholas abdicated in In 1918 he & his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks (Communists). Nicholas abdicated in In 1918 he & his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks (Communists). The next 75 years Russia was dominated by “Rule by Fear” & by men like Lenin & Stalin…

Lenin’s Take Over (chairman ) The First Head of the Soviet Socialist Republic Introduced a series of reforms: New Economic Policy (NEP) Allow individuals to buy and sell for profit Gov’t controlled major industries, banks, communications Farmland was seized from wealthy, divided among the peasants - encouraged collective farmingReforms: Women received equal pay Education important – stressed socialist doctrine, technical schools Religion was discouraged

Joseph Stalin (chairman: ) Stalin ended the NEP Stalin ended the NEP Returned to command economy Returned to command economy 5 Year Plan 5 Year Plan Goal – turn Soviet Union into a modern, industrialized society Goal – turn Soviet Union into a modern, industrialized society Collective farming failed – famine crop failure millions died Collective farming failed – famine crop failure millions died Steel production increased significantly Steel production increased significantly Purges – a large scale elimination of enemies. Purges – a large scale elimination of enemies. Estimated 5 million were arrested, deported, or executed between Estimated 5 million were arrested, deported, or executed between

Problem Attempted Solution Results Near economic collapse Lenin’s NEP Moderate success Agriculture Collective farms Failed; famine Power struggle – Stalin and Trotsky Savage and brutal competition Stalin emerged as victor Little economic growth Stalin’s first 5 year plan Succeeded n reviving industry somewhat No increase in consumer goods Second 5 year plan Industry grows – people starve Problems of the New Soviet Union

The Cold War ( ) This “war” was a battle of words and rising armaments between USSR and US. This “war” was a battle of words and rising armaments between USSR and US. Specific events during the Cold War intensified hostilities, or decreased them. Specific events during the Cold War intensified hostilities, or decreased them. It ended with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 It ended with the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991

Fall of Communism Mikhail Gorbachev head (“Premier”) of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev head (“Premier”) of the USSR Relaxed economic control Relaxed economic control Reduced military spending Reduced military spending Introduced reforms – Introduced reforms – Glasnost: openness by the gov’t & Glasnost: openness by the gov’t & Peristroika: political & economic reforms Peristroika: political & economic reforms Results: Results: Increased tensions between ethnic groups Increased tensions between ethnic groups People began demanding more and more freedom and independence Soviet Union ceased to exist 1991 Soviet Union ceased to exist

Yeltsin (president: ) First elected President First elected President Transformation to democracy High inflation Unemployment Food and housing shortages Open Russia to foreign investment Privatized industry

Vladimir Putin Leader of Russia since 2000 Leader of Russia since 2000 He increased GDP by 72% He increased GDP by 72% Real wages tripled during his Real wages tripled during his first two terms in office. first two terms in office. However, he rules like a dictator and after he hand-selected his successor in 2008, he ran for another term in 2012 which was increased from 4 years to 6. However, he rules like a dictator and after he hand-selected his successor in 2008, he ran for another term in 2012 which was increased from 4 years to 6. Countries around the world including the US worry about his leadership Countries around the world including the US worry about his leadership