1. Chapter 16 Human Geography of Russia & the Republics A Diverse Heritage
Objective: Analyze features of human geography in the three sub-regions of Russia & the Republics

2. Chapter 16 Section 1 Russia & the Western Republics
Vocabulary: Baltic Republics, Czar, Russian Revolution, USSR, Cold War, Command Economy, & Collective Farm
Objective: Describe the cultural background & achievements of Russia & the Western Republics

3. A History of Expansion
Vikings from Scandinavia established a settlement near Kiev
The Vikings adopted the customs of the local Slavic population
Mongols halted the expansion of the Russians until Ivan the Great put an end to their rule
Many people belonged to different ethnic groups, spoke different languages, & practiced different religions
Czar (emperor/king of Russia)
Peter the Great made impressive strides toward modernizing Russia
Russia began between the Baltic & Black Sea
Mongols controlled the region for over 300 years
By the end of the 17th century it had built an empire that extended to the pacific ocean
Although Peter the Great made great strides, he still trailed behind the west
It had harsh working conditions, low wages, & other hardships

4. The Rise & Fall of the Soviet Union
In 1917, the Russian Revolution occurred, ending the rule of the czars
The Russian Communist Party took control of the government
In 1922 the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics) was created
The leader Joseph Stalin led the Soviet Union to victory in WW2
Tensions rose between the United States & the Soviet Union creating the Cold War
The Cold War lasted until the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991
The Soviet Union was divided into 15 independent republics
After WWI, Russia’s people anger exploded into revolt
Lenin was the leader until his death
It took control over all important economic decisions
Stalin installed pro-Soviet governments in the Eastern European countries that his armies had liberated from Germany
The United States feared Stalin would spread communism all over the globe

5. Building a Command Economy
The Communists were inspired by the idea of a Command Economy replacing Capitalism
In a communist society, citizens would own property together & everyone would share the wealth
Command Economy: central government makes all the decisions
The government created collective farms where laborers worked together
Under this huge transformation, millions of citizens starved while only a few benefited
People tried to rise in protests but were stopped the government
Historians estimate that Stalin was responsible for the death of 14 million people
Inspired by Karl Marx
Concentrated wealth in the hands of a few & left everyone else in poverty
Control of land, mines, factories, banks, transportation systems

6. A Rich Culture
Russia has the greatest ethnic diversity of the region’s republics
Russians make up the largest ethnic group with about 80% of the population
Orthodox Christianity is the most popular religion
However, the region also has Buddhist, Muslims, & Jews
Art & Architecture style are unique in Russia
Russia is known for their ballet companies

7. Tradition & Change in Russian Life
The region’s people have begun to enjoy more social & cultural opportunities
They can now keep up with new movies, music, & clothing trends from around the world
However, they still favor a traditional way of life
30% of the population own dachas or vacation homes in the countryside
They also enjoy visiting a banya (sauna, steam room, icy cold pool, then hot tea)

8. Nuclear Explosion At Chernobyl
On April 28, 1986 a Swedish engineer was startled when a radiation detector went off as he entered his office
After checking the radiation on his clothes, he believed a nuclear war had begun
800 miles away a nuclear power plant at Chernobyl had exploded
Radiation contaminated 100,000 square miles
250,000 people were evacuated & resettled

9. Chapter 16 Section 2 Transcaucasia
Vocabulary: Red Army & Supra
Objective: Summarize some of the historic influences on Transcaucasia

10. A Gateway of Migration
Transcaucasia is the gateway between Europe & Asia
50 different types of people live in Transcaucasia today because of its access to trade routes
Migrants have brought a great variety of languages to the region
Because of its close location to Southwest Asia, most people are Christian or Islamic
Tensions among different groups have resulted in violence & civil war
Called “mountain of languages”
They are among the oldest Christian states in the world
Tensions rose after the collapse of the Soviet Union who kept them together

11. A History of Outside Control
By 1870, the Czar’s troops had added Transcaucasia to the Russian Empire
The Red Army of the Soviet Union, solidified control of the region
The republics of Transcaucasia regained their political independence in after the fall of the Soviet Union
However, they have struggled to rebuild their nations’ economies
The people experienced the same painful economic & political changes as the rest of the Soviet Union

12. Economic Potential
They have taken advantage of the region’s climate by producing tea & grapes
The oil industry has had an important impact on the Transcaucasia region
However many continue to live in poverty
They region argues about whether the Caspian is an inland sea or a lake
The soviets transformed it into a industrial & urban region

13. Modern Life in Transcaucasia
Literacy rates in Transcaucasia rose to the nearly 99% within the Soviet Union
One major traditional value is mealtime celebrations
The supra “dinner party” is an extravagant event with cold dishes, then hot courses, following desserts
They also like to give speeches

14. Chapter 16 Section 3 Central Asia
Vocabulary: Silk Road, Great Game, Nomad, & Yurt
Objective: Describe the environmental problems & promise in the region

15. A Historical Crossroads
Central Asia consists of five independent republics
The Silk Road carried products through Central Asia
They products consisted of gold, silver, ivory, jade, wine, spices, amber, linen, porcelain, grapes, & perfumes
The Silk Road also became a route for spreading ideas, technology, & religion
Travelers first began to make their way across the region in large numbers around 100 B.C.

16. An Uncertain Economic Future
Until the late 1980s, the Soviet nuclear industry was an economic mainstay of Central Asia
470 nuclear devices were exploded in a nearby town
Exposure to high levels of radiation caused increase rates of different diseases
They diseases include leukemia, thyroid cancer, birth defects, & mental illness
Oil & gas reserves have been found in the region

17. Cultures Divided & Conquered
Soviet planners carved the region into five new nations that corresponded to the largest ethnic groups
However they purposely left large numbers of one ethnic group as minorities in the neighboring republic
The Soviets tried to prevent opposition by using the tensions in these regions to keep control
Most Central Asians speak languages related to Turkish or Russian

18. The Survival of Tradition
The expansive grasslands of Central Asia are ideal for nomadic people
Yurts are portable tents that are lightweight
Nomads use them for sleeping, floor coverings, wall linings, & insulation
They are trying to preserve their traditions by allowing tourists to experience being shepherds