Russia and central Asia have a long, rich, and complex history. Slavs settled near the waterways of the North European Plain by 600 AD. They incorporated Scandinavian Varangians during the 9th century. Muscovites ended 200 years of Mongol control in the 15th Century, and began to expand their control over an emerging empire that became known as Russia. Under Czarist rule, over the next five centuries Russia continued to expand its borders into Siberia in the east and toward the Black Sea in the south. During the 15th and 16th centuries, Russian rulers increased their power with the support of the Russian Orthodox Church. During the next 200 year, czars such as Peter I and Catherine II expanded Russia's territory and turned to western Europe for models in science, technology, and culture. While the nobles served the czars and accepted European ways, the peasant majority held to tradition and became bound as serfs to the nobles' land.
Mounting injustices fueled discontent among all groups in Russian society. In the 19th century, czars made some reforms, such as freeing the serfs, but refused to yield any of their powers. Growing discontent with Czarist Russia's strict governmental controls and social and economic inequalities finally exploded in the violent Russian Revolution of 1917, which ended czarist rule, briefly installed democracy, and brought to power a communist government. Under Lenin, and later Stalin, Russia was transformed into a new empire: the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), commonly called the Soviet Union.
The Soviet Union's communist leaders brought nearly all aspects of Soviet life under their control. Education expanded, and the country rapidly industrialized. However, millions of people labeled as enemies of the state were either killed or sent to prison labor camps. After a brutal but victorious struggle against the Nazis in World War II, the Soviet Union expanded into eastern Europe, where it set up communist governments. Forty years of Cold War followed, during which the Soviet Union rivaled the United States for global influence. During this time, Soviet officials spent heavily on defense, scientific research, space exploration, and heavy industry, at the expense of Soviet consumers and the environment.
Under the Soviet command economy, the government owned factories, farms, mines, and transportation systems; controlled the rate of production; and ensured that most people were employed. The emphasis on heavy industry, however, meant that everyday consumer goods were often unavailable. By the 1980s, inflexible controls and the stifling of workers' initiative had crippled the Soviet economy. A reform-minded leader, Soviet Premier Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost and new policies that guided Russia toward a free market economy.
But the overthrow of communist rulers in Eastern Europe in 1989, and a weakening economy, eventually led to the breakdown of Soviet control. In 1991, the Soviet Union was dissolved. The countries of central Asia - Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Armenia - gained their independence (along with northern European countries Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, and eastern European countries Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine.) Each of these nations has an incredibly rich and complex history.
Turkic peoples - those who speak Turkic languages - include Kazakhs, Uzbeks, Kyrgyz, Turkmen, and Azerbaijani. The majority of Turkic peoples are Muslim. Uzbeks are the largest Turkic group in central Asia. Tajiks are primarily Muslim, and speak a non-Turkic language resembling Farsi.
The Caucasus region includes more than 50 ethnic groups. Georgians and Armenians are among the largest groups. In the 4th century, most Georgians and Armenians converted to Christianity. The Georgian language is the most commonly spoken of the Caucasian languages. Armenians once ruled a powerful kingdom. After being invaded and ruled by many others, including Arabs, Persians, and Russians, Armenians were brutally targeted by Ottoman Turks, and in 1915 over one million Armenians were systematically massacred or deported. Many survivors immigrated to Southwest Asia, Europe, and the United States.
When the Soviet Union collapsed at the end of 1991, Russia was acknowledged as the successor state. Under president Boris Yeltsen, Russia emerged as an independent nation intent on fostering democracy and free enterprise. After transforming from a command economy to a market economy, the Russian economy is slowly improving. However, Russia has found it hard to shed old ways after 70 years of communism. With social disorder, crime, economic uncertainty, and secessionist challenges, Yeltsin's successor, Vladimir Putin, in 2001 began to centralize more power in his hands. His actions (even before attacking Ukraine) have raised concerns about the future of Russian democracy.
The Eastern Orthodox Church, Russia's dominant church until it was banned during the Soviet era of atheism, is enjoying a resurgence. Other religions are also growing strong, although only Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Buddhism are considered traditional religions and have full liberties. The country has worked to strengthen its role in world trade, increase agricultural production and provide more jobs for its workers. Modern-day Russia has inherited the results of shortsighted economic development during the Soviet era, which resulted in large-scale damage to the environment. Like many nations around the globe, it is struggling to find a way to balance its need for economic growth with the preservation of its environments.
Learning:
Read Glencoe World Geograpy pages 363-381
Look at the following articles/links:
Population density map of Russia
Russia’s demographics
Soviet Union timeline
Russian architecture
Caucasus region and people
Mapping:
Label Russia and each country in central Asia on a map. Add the capitol of each country and any major cities.
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