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

2. “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

4. 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.

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

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

7. Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia

12. 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

13. 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

14. Belarus: Between Europe and Russia

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

16. 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

17. Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States

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

19. 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

20. Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth

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

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

23. 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

24. 15 Nation States Estonia Latvia Lithuania Belarus Ukraine Moldova
Georgia
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan
Kyrgyzstan
Tajikistan
Kazakhstan
Russia