Chapter 16
- 1. Human Geography of Russia and the Republics: A Diverse Heritage Russia’s aggressive expansion between 1500 and 1900 created a vast nation with a diverse, and often turbulent, mix of peoples and cultures. NEXT
- 2. SECTION 1 Russia and the Western Republics SECTION 2 Transcaucasia NEXT SECTION 3 Central Asia Human Geography of Russia and the Republics: A Diverse Heritage
- 3. NEXT Section 1 Russia and the Western Republics • From modest beginnings, Russia expanded to become the largest country in the world. • The rise and fall of the Soviet Union affected the world’s political geography.
- 4. A History of Expansion Russia and its Neighbors • Expansion adds variety of people, cultures, languages, religions - includes Belarus, Moldova, Ukraine to west - Baltic Republics—Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania Russia and the Western Republics SECTION 1 NEXT Continued . . .
- 5. SECTION 1 NEXT Birth of an Empire • 9th-century Vikings settle near Kiev, adopt Slavic customs - settlement expands between Baltic, Black seas • In 1200s, Mongol warriors—Tatars—invade, sack Kiev • Tatars control region until Ivan the Great expels them in 1500s • Russia expands to east until empire reaches Pacific ocean by 1700 continued A History of Expansion Continued . . .
- 6. SECTION 1 NEXT Russia Lags Behind Western Europe • Rapid territorial growth is not matched by technological advancement • Czar—or emperor—Peter the Great (1682-1725) modernizes Russia - moves capital from Moscow to St. Petersburg on Baltic sea - St. Petersburg provides sea access to Europe: “window to the West” • Russia is slow to industrialize, trailing Europe by half a century - eventual industrialization brings harsh working condition, low wages - peoples’ unrest and anger with czars grows continued A History of Expansion Continued . . .
- 7. SECTION 1 NEXT The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union • Russian Revolution—1917 revolt ends reign of the czars - V.I. Lenin’s Communist Party takes over government, economy • Communist Party organizes diverse peoples of Russian empire - forms Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) • Joseph Stalin takes over USSR, leads fight against Germany in WWII • Relations between USSR and WWII Allies (including U.S., U.K.) worsen - after war, pro-Soviet governments installed in Eastern Europe continued A History of Expansion Continued . . .
- 8. SECTION 1 NEXT The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union • In 1940s, tensions grow as U.S. fears worldwide Communist expansion - Cold War—U.S.-USSR conflict that never becomes open warfare • In 1980s, Mikhail Gorbachev allows more economic, political freedom - leads to collapse of Soviet Union, end of Cold War in 1991 • Region divides into 15 independent republics • Russia is largest, most powerful republic - has popularly elected president, two-chamber Federal Assembly continued A History of Expansion
- 9. Building a Command Economy An Economic Dream • In 1917, Communists follow ideas of Karl Marx, German philosopher - feel capitalism is doomed because few are wealthy, many are poor - predict communism—shared property, wealth— will replace it SECTION 1 NEXT Continued . . .
- 10. SECTION 1 NEXT A Harsh Reality • Soviet leaders adopt a command economy - central government makes major economic decisions - controls the wealth: land, mines, factories, banks, transportation - decides what products, crops are produced; sets prices • USSR increases industrialization, including farming - collective farms—large teams of laborers gathered to work together - thousands are moved to farms; by 1939, 90% of farms are collectives continued Building a Command Economy Continued . . .
- 11. SECTION 1 NEXT A Harsh Reality • Millions of citizens starve in famines caused, in part, by collectives • In reality, only a few individuals benefit from the economic changes • Stalin’s police punish any protest - some estimate Stalin causes 14 million deaths • In ’90s, Russia tries to put economic control back in private hands continued Building a Command Economy
- 12. A Rich Culture Ethnicity and Religion • Rich variety of ethnic groups due to centuries of expansion • Russia has greatest diversity; 80% are Russian - 70 other peoples live in Russia: Finnish, Turkic, Mongolian • Most Russians are Orthodox Christian (adopted in 900s) - persecution caused many Jews to emigrate to Israel, U.S. SECTION 1 NEXT Continued . . .
- 13. SECTION 1 NEXT Artistic Genius • Orthodox art, architecture includes onion-shaped domes, icons • Cultural golden age begins after Peter opens communication to West • 1700–1800s writers include Aleksandr Pushkin, Feodor Dostoyevsky • Composers include Peter Tchaikovsky, Igor Stravinsky • Famous ballet companies include the Kirov and Bolshoi • Communist Party dictates official style of art called socialist realism - promotes Soviet ideals, shows citizens working for socialist society continued A Rich Culture
- 14. Tradition and Change in Russian Life A More Open Society • Since collapse of USSR, region is more open to outside influences • More social, cultural opportunities in Moscow, St. Petersburg - books, periodicals, movies, music, clothes, international foods • Native traditions, grain-based foods still survive - rye bread, kasha, vodka (from rye or wheat) SECTION 1 NEXT Continued . . .
- 15. SECTION 1 NEXT Dachas and Banyas • Only 1/4 of Russians live rurally, but countryside is cherished • 30% of people spend weekends, vacations in dachas (country homes) - small, plain houses, often with vegetable gardens • Banyas (bathhouses) are popular - cleaning ritual starts with 200-degree sauna - then a steam room, with birch twigs - finally, a plunge into ice-cold water, followed by drinking hot tea continued Tradition and Change in Russian Life
- 16. NEXT Section 2 Transcaucasia • Transcaucasia has been a gateway between Europe and Asia. • The Caspian Sea’s oil and gas reserves have given the region great economic potential.
- 17. A Gateway of Migration A Variety of Cultures • Transcaucasia includes Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia • Area is historical migration route between Europe and Asia - trade routes near Black Sea lead to Mediterranean - routes from Caspian Sea lead to Far East • Due to routes, today more than 50 different peoples live in region • Variety of language families include Indo-European, Caucasian, Altaic - Arab geographers call area Jabal Al-Alsun— “Mountain of Language” Transcaucasia SECTION 2 NEXT Continued . . .
- 18. SECTION 2 NEXT Migration Brings Religions • Most people are Christian, Muslim due to proximity to southwest Asia • Armenia and Georgia are among oldest Christian states in the world - Armenia’s King Tiridates III made his state Christian in A.D. 300 • Muslims invaded southern Caucasus in 600s - today Azerbaijan is mostly Muslim continued A Gateway of Migration Conflict • Ethnic tensions, in check under rigid Soviet rule, erupt after 1991 - Georgian civil war; Armenia and Azerbaijan’s territorial war
- 19. A History of Outside Control Czarist and Soviet Rule • Russian Empire invades region in 1700s - in 1763 Peter the Great’s armies take Baku, Azerbaijan’s capital - in 1801 Russia annexes Georgia - by 1828 Russians control Armenian territory, plain of Yerevan - Transcaucasia is part of Russian Empire by late 1870s SECTION 2 Continued . . . NEXT
- 20. SECTION 2 NEXT Czarist and Soviet Rule • Region is briefly independent after 1917 Revolution - by early 1920s, region controlled by Red Army— Soviet military • Region suffers painful economic, political change under USSR - many die in famines triggered by farm collectivization - others perish due to their political beliefs • Independent after 1991, republics struggle to rebuild economies continued A History of Outside Control
- 21. Economic Potential Agriculture and Industry • Despite mountains, have much agriculture - humid subtropical lowlands yield tea, fruits, grapes (Georgian wines) • Soviet-era factories still produce iron, chemicals, consumer goods • Azerbaijan is oil-rich; pipelines are needed across Armenia, Georgia SECTION 2 NEXT Land of Flames • Azerbaijan means “land of flames” - named so because fires seem to magically erupt from Caspian - fires due to underground oil, gas deposits Continued . . .
- 22. SECTION 2 NEXT Dividing the Caspian Sea • After Soviet breakup, five countries have claims on oil-rich Caspian - Azerbaijan, Russia, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Iran - ownership depends on whether it’s a lake or sea • If a sea, each country owns resources on its own section of sea bed • If a lake, all countries share most of the lake’s oil wealth equally • Azerbaijan has large offshore oil reserves, so it says it’s a sea • Russia has few offshore oil reserves, so it says it’s a lake continued Economic Potential
- 23. Modern Life in Transcaucasia An Educated People • Soviet educational programs raised region’s literacy rate to 99% - population was mostly illiterate before 1917 - workers were educated in order to perform modern industrial tasks SECTION 2 NEXT Hospitality • A supra is a Georgian dinner party (the word means “tablecloth”) - includes cold dishes, hot courses, fruit, dessert - diners make many toasts (short speeches) before drinking
- 24. NEXT Section 3 Central Asia • Soviet officials drew borders in Central Asia that are making it difficult for the region’s new leaders to establish stability. • Central Asians have preserved many cultural traditions despite decades of colonization.
- 25. A Historical Crossroads The Silk Road • Central Asia today is five independent republics - Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan • Around 100 B.C. caravans begin crossing region on horses, camels - Silk Road—trade route from Mediterranean from China - caravans carry silk, gold, ivory, jade, spices, linens, perfumes - 4,000-mile journey through cities like Samarqand, Bukhoro • In 14th century, cheaper sea routes replace use of Silk Road Central Asia SECTION 3 NEXT Continued . . .
- 26. The Great Game • In 1800s, Britain, Russia compete to control area— the Great Game - Britain wants to protect its Indian colony from Russian expansion - young officers on both sides travel region in disguise - make maps, try to win local leaders over to their side • By 1900, Russia controls Central Asia - USSR controls region from 1920s until 1991 SECTION 3 NEXT continued A Historical Crossroads
- 27. An Uncertain Future Nuclear Testing • Semey (Semipalatinsk), Kazakhstan, used for nuclear testing - from 1949 to 1989, 470 nuclear devices set off at “Polygon” site • Residents’ exposure to radiation causes long-term health problems - rates of leukemia, thyroid cancer, birth defects rise SECTION 3 NEXT Petroleum and Prosperity • Potential oil and gas wealth in Caspian, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan - new “Great Game” as foreign nations compete for oil profits
- 28. Cultures Divided and Conquered Soviets Form Nations • USSR made 5 nations out of Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tajiks, Turkmen, Uzbeks - drew borders to deliberately create ethnic minority groups - encouraged ethnic tensions to prevent opposition to Soviet rule • For example, today Uzbeks form 24% of Tajikistan - Uzbek cities Samarqand, Bukhoro have large Tajik populations SECTION 3 NEXT Continued . . .
- 29. SECTION 3 NEXT continued Cultures Divided and Conquered Language and Religion • Most are Muslim, speak languages related to Turkish - many still speak Russian; former official language of USSR
- 30. The Survival of Tradition Nomadic Heritage • Nomads—people with no permanent home, few possessions - move themselves and their animals with the seasons - seek food, water, grazing land • Soviets forced most of region’s nomads into collective farms • Some nomads remain in Central Asia’s grasslands - in the summer, herders set up tents near Lake Song-Köl, Kyrgyzstan SECTION 3 NEXT Continued . . .
- 31. SECTION 3 NEXT Yurts • Yurts—nomads’ light, portable tents made of felt with wood frames • Interiors decorated with woven reed mats, wooden saddles, daggers - handwoven carpets are famous for designs, colors continued The Survival of Tradition Preserving Traditions • As nomadic lifestyle fades, some Kyrgyzstan shepherds house tourists - tourists pay to experience nomadic lifestyles, traditions - shepherd’s families have new source of income
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