Chapter 14History and Cultures of Russia

Today, Russia is the world’s largest country. Early in its history, however, it was a small territory on the edge of Europe. Strong rulers gradually expanded Russia’s borders. While Russia’s government has undergone a number of changes, the country’s culture and traditions have remained strong.

Why do countries often wish to expand their territory?

Essential Question

The characteristics and movement of people impact physical and human systems.

Section 1: History and Governments

Writing Prompt-30 minutes- 3 paragraphs- 30 points

• Please respond to the following prompt supporting your opinion with evidence in the text:

Were the changes in Russia’s political history positive or negative for its people? Why?- Describe at least three of the major changes.

Daily agenda- 1/14/16

1. Complete 14-1 notes chart2. “Leveled” text-based questioning3. Create-your-own study guide4. Russia video clips- Moscow5. Complete current event

Strong leaders made Russia a vast empire, but widespread suffering eventually led to Revolution.

The Russian Empire

What causes people to rise up and overthrow their government?

Russians descended from Slavic peoples

Earliest city was Kiev

Prospered on trade Eastern Orthodox

Christianity Conquered by

Mongols in 1200s.

Early Russia

Missionaries: people who move to another area to spread their religion.

Ukrainians descended from Slavs.

Civilization called Kievan Rus was settled by early Slavs.

Slavs move north and create city of Moscow

Slavs declare independence from Mongols under Ivan the Great.

Early Russia

1547: Ivan IV declares himself Czar.

Ruled harshly, know as Ivan the Terrible

Russia expands to expand trade with Europe

St. Petersburg becomes capital.

The Czars

Czar: another term for emperor.

Ivan IV – expands Russian Empire by conquering neighboring territories.

As empire grew, many Muslims became part of Russian Empire

Largely rural & agricultural

Most citizens poor peasants or serfs.

The Czars

Serfs: farm laborers who could be bought and sold with the land.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlROOBFKz4I

Peter the Great

Cold climate repelled Napoleon’s invasion in 1812.

1861 40 million serfs freed.

Russia started to modernize.

Revolution

1914: Russia enters WWI with France & Britain.

Russia suffers defeats

Vladimir Lenin leads a revolution against the czar.

Creates a communist state.

Revolution

Communist State: the government controlled the economy & society

Lenin created the USSR.

Describe the development of Russia.

Knowledge Check

The Communist system controlled many aspects of people’s lives, but democratic ideas eventually took hold.

The Rise and Fall of Communism

What would it be like if the government told you what job you had to do and also greatly limited the choices of products you could buy in stores?

Lenin creates the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)

Russian ethnic group dominated.

Lenin followed teachings of Karl Marx

Rise and Fall of Communism

Marx believed factory owners had too much power & factory workers too little power.

no private ownership

Policies continued by Joseph Stalin, a harsh dictator

Religious property seized

Imprisoned any who disagreed with him.

Rise and Fall of Communism

Stalin = dictator after 1924.

Lenin ended private ownership.

Command economy Collectivization: system in which small

farms were combined into large, factorylike farms run by the government.

Many turn to factory work Not enough food produced Huge factories produced steel, military

equipment, & machinery. No competition led to poor-quality goods.

Agriculture & Industry

Soviet government eliminated competition in economy.

Fought with Allies during WWII

Stalin establishes communist regimes in eastern Europe

Cold War: conflict between U.S. & USSR that never led to actual war.

Soviets endured lack of basic goods during this period.

Soviet Power

Yuri Gagarin = 1st man in space.

1985: Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power

Glasnost: Soviet citizens could say or write what they wanted without fear of being punished.

Attempts at Reform

Glasnost = policy of openness

Perestroika: gave more freedom to business owners in economic decisions.

caused Soviet people to doubt communism

Communist governments begin to collapse.

Attempts at Reform

Perestroika = Gorbachev

Many felt Gorbachev was not making enough changes

Boris Yeltsin comes to power.

1991—Soviet Union collapses

Attempting to build a democracy & market economy

Collapse of the Soviet Union

Boris Yeltsin = 1st president

What were Gorbachev’s reforms?

Knowledge Check

Culture groups shape human systems.

Section 2: Cultures and Lifestyles

Russia’s many ethnic groups and a tradition of great achievements in the arts and sciences contribute to the country’s cultures.

Russia’s Cultures

Have you ever watched the graceful motions of a ballet dancer?

As the Russian Empire expanded, many different peoples came under its control.

Many practice their own culture under Russian rule.

Russia’s Cultures

Yakut people herd reindeer in eastern Siberia.

After fall of communism, freedom of religion.

Eastern Orthodox main religion

Also have Muslims, Catholics, Protestants, & Jews.

Russia’s Cultures

Strong oral tradition: passing stories by word of mouth from generation to generation.

Strong sense of nationalism: feelings of loyalty toward their country.

The Arts

Long history of music & dance. Swan Lake & The Nutcracker = famous

ballets War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy = famous

novel. Faberge eggs

The Arts

Peter Faberge = jewel-encrusted eggs.

Alexzander Solzhenitsyn = author who wrote about harsh conditions in a Communist society.

Bolshoi of Moscow & Kirov of St. Petersburg are ballet companies.

Long emphasis on the sciences. 1961: put first man in space—Yuri

Gagrin Helped U.S. build International Space

Station.

Scientific Advances

How have religious practices changed since the fall of communism?

Knowledge Check

Russian lifestyles are influenced by the region’s cold climate and vast area, as well as the country’s changing economic system.

Life in Russia

Do you like to celebrate the arrival of spring after a long, cold winter?

Most Russians live in cities west of Ural Mountains.

Housing is scarce, most live in apartments.

Wealthier people have country homes.

Everyday Life

Ice hockey, figure skating, & gymnastics

Maslenitsa: marks ends of winter with snowball fights, sleigh rides & parties.

June 12—celebrate autonomy

Sports and Holidays

Autonomy = independence from Soviet Union

Vast distances of Russia require good rail system.

Trans-Siberian Railroad—longest rail line in world.

Provides access to Siberia’s resources.

Transportation & Communications

Trans-Siberian railroad connects Moscow with Vladivostok.

No effective highway system.

Few gas stations. However, Russian car

ownership is rising. Many areas lack

phone service. Internet only now

spreading around country.

Transportation & Communications

How does the Maslenitsa celebration reflect Russia’s culture and environment?

Knowledge Check