General Information About Russia

Official Name: RUSSIAN FEDERATION Official Name: RUSSIAN FEDERATION 17,075,200 square miles (1.8 times the size of U.S.A.) 17,075,200 square miles (1.8 times the size of U.S.A.) Capital – Moscow, made up of 8,369,000 people Capital – Moscow, made up of 8,369,000 people Total Population– 140,041,247 Total Population– 140,041,247 Main Language– Russian Main Language– Russian

Religions: 15-20% Russian Orthodox, 10-15% Muslim, 2% other Christian Religions: 15-20% Russian Orthodox, 10-15% Muslim, 2% other Christian Current Leader: Vladimir Putin Current Leader: Vladimir Putin Currency: RUBLE (31.60 rubles= $1) Currency: RUBLE (31.60 rubles= $1) Average Income: $7,700 (U.S. is $27,108) Average Income: $7,700 (U.S. is $27,108)

The former Soviet Republics, although independent, have formed the COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) The former Soviet Republics, although independent, have formed the COMMONWEALTH OF INDEPENDENT STATES (CIS) Russia is the figurehead leader of the CIS Russia is the figurehead leader of the CIS

The Rise of Russia 500 B.C.E. (Roman Times) a people called the SLAVS moved into southern Russia 500 B.C.E. (Roman Times) a people called the SLAVS moved into southern Russia 800’s C.E. – Missionaries from Constantinople converted Slavs to Eastern Orthodox Christianity 800’s C.E. – Missionaries from Constantinople converted Slavs to Eastern Orthodox Christianity

863 C.E. – Cyrillic alphabet created to translate Greek bible 863 C.E. – Cyrillic alphabet created to translate Greek bible An educated class forms An educated class forms

1200’s C.E. – Mongols conquered Russia and cut it off from Western Europe 1200’s C.E. – Mongols conquered Russia and cut it off from Western Europe C.E. – Ivan III (Ivan the Great) C.E. – Ivan III (Ivan the Great) The first CZAR (Russian word for Caesar), brought Northern Russia under his control The first CZAR (Russian word for Caesar), brought Northern Russia under his control Was an AUTOCRAT – ruler with unlimited power Was an AUTOCRAT – ruler with unlimited power

C.E.–Ivan the Terrible Ruled with ABSOLUTE POWER Ruled with ABSOLUTE POWER Centralized royal power Centralized royal power Bound serfs to land & cut BOYARS’ (nobles) privileges Bound serfs to land & cut BOYARS’ (nobles) privileges

SERF – landless peasant who worked the nobles’ land for “free”

Created a secret police force Created a secret police force Reign of terror against powerful Boyars to crush them – earned his nickname Reign of terror against powerful Boyars to crush them – earned his nickname Introduce reforms like a new law code Introduce reforms like a new law code Encouraged FEUDALISM – Boyars given land by czar to strengthen their bonds w/him Encouraged FEUDALISM – Boyars given land by czar to strengthen their bonds w/him

C.E. – Time of Trouble There was no MIDDLE CLASS There was no MIDDLE CLASS Boyars feuded over the throne Boyars feuded over the throne Peasants revolted & foreign invaders entered Russia Peasants revolted & foreign invaders entered Russia Michael Romanov finally elected by Boyars and began the Romanov Dynasty (ruling family), which ended in 1917 Michael Romanov finally elected by Boyars and began the Romanov Dynasty (ruling family), which ended in 1917

C.E.- Peter the Great Westernized Russia Westernized Russia Modernized the army & navy Modernized the army & navy Made government more efficient Made government more efficient Built capital of St. Petersburg – ”window on the West” Built capital of St. Petersburg – ”window on the West”

Used force and terror to make people follow his orders (men had to shave beards, all had to wear western-style clothing) Used force and terror to make people follow his orders (men had to shave beards, all had to wear western-style clothing) Although Russia strengthened, large gap still existed between Russia and Western Europe Although Russia strengthened, large gap still existed between Russia and Western Europe

C.E.–Catherine the Great Obtained Boyars’ support by exempting them from taxes & giving them complete control over the serfs “Enlightened” ruler– encouraged Western thought

C.E.–Catherine the Great Successful foreign policy: expanded Russia’s border to the Black Sea and defeated Ottoman Empire Successful foreign policy: expanded Russia’s border to the Black Sea and defeated Ottoman Empire Also took over part of Poland Also took over part of Poland

C.E. – Alexander I Made many liberal reforms: partial liberation for serfs Made many liberal reforms: partial liberation for serfs Eased censorship & promoted education Eased censorship & promoted education Drew back from reform after Napoleon’s invasion Drew back from reform after Napoleon’s invasion

Tried to invade Russia after the French Revolution Tried to invade Russia after the French Revolution 1812 – Battle for Moscow 1812 – Battle for Moscow 75,000 died in one day 75,000 died in one day Russians burned Moscow to the ground Russians burned Moscow to the ground Napoleon got stuck in the Russian winter Napoleon got stuck in the Russian winter Lost 500,000 men Lost 500,000 men Napoleon and Russia

C.E. – Nicholas I “Orthodoxy, autocracy, & nationalism” “Orthodoxy, autocracy, & nationalism” Put down Decembrist Revolt (liberals) Put down Decembrist Revolt (liberals) Strict, harsh ruler – used police spies Strict, harsh ruler – used police spies Militarized Russia Militarized Russia

C.E. – Nicholas I Outlawed Western philosophy – banned books Outlawed Western philosophy – banned books Jailed or institutionalized those with liberal or revolutionary ideas Jailed or institutionalized those with liberal or revolutionary ideas Lost Crimean War to France/Britain Lost Crimean War to France/Britain

C.E. – Nicholas I Realized Russia needed reform Realized Russia needed reform Issued new law code & made some economic reforms Issued new law code & made some economic reforms Even tried to limit power of landowners over serfs (but didn’t want to anger nobles) Even tried to limit power of landowners over serfs (but didn’t want to anger nobles)

C.E. – Alexander II Abolished serfdom Abolished serfdom Brought problems – serfs too poor to buy land & lands allotted to peasants too small to support a family Brought problems – serfs too poor to buy land & lands allotted to peasants too small to support a family Discontent festered Discontent festered

C.E. – Alexander II But peasants moved to cities & helped build industries But peasants moved to cities & helped build industries Local gov’t set up – ZEMSTVOS (elected assemblies) Local gov’t set up – ZEMSTVOS (elected assemblies)

C.E. – Alexander II Introduced trial by jury, eased censorship & tried to reform military Introduced trial by jury, eased censorship & tried to reform military Women left homes to study abroad Women left homes to study abroad Sold Alaska to the U.S. Sold Alaska to the U.S. Assassinated by terrorists Assassinated by terrorists

C.E. – Alexander III Turned against reform and returned to repression Turned against reform and returned to repression Revived secret police, restored censorship, & exiled critics to Siberia Revived secret police, restored censorship, & exiled critics to Siberia

C.E. – Alexander III Launched program of RUSSIFICATION (suppress cultures of non- Russians) Launched program of RUSSIFICATION (suppress cultures of non- Russians) One language & one church One language & one church

C.E. – Alexander III Persecuted Russian Jews Persecuted Russian Jews POGROMS – violent mob attacks on Jews POGROMS – violent mob attacks on Jews Many Jews fled Russia as refugees Many Jews fled Russia as refugees

C.E. – Alexander III Russia did enter an industrial age Russia did enter an industrial age Railroad building occurred & foreign capital invested in industry Railroad building occurred & foreign capital invested in industry Social problems increased Social problems increased

C.E. – Alexander III Workers faced long hours, low pay, poverty, disease, and poor housing Workers faced long hours, low pay, poverty, disease, and poor housing Marxism began to appeal to these workers Marxism began to appeal to these workers Plot to kill czar was foiled (Lenin’s brother executed) Plot to kill czar was foiled (Lenin’s brother executed)