Chapter 15 The Cultural Geography of Russia and the Eurasian Republics

1. Chapter 15 The Cultural Geography of Russia and the Eurasian Republics

2. I. Population Patterns A. Ethnic Diversity 100 nationalities/ ethnic groups 1. Language Soviet era: Russian Today � speak it Hundreds of languages today Slavic, Turkic, and Caucasian backgrounds 2. The Slavs Most numerous Ukrainians, Russians, Belarusians 83 % live in Russia Moldova: mainly Romanians

3. A. Ethnic Diversity cont. 3. Turkic Peoples Uzbeks, Kazakhs, Kyrgyz, Tatars, and Turks Speak some form of Turkic language Mainly Muslims Uzbeks the largest group in the region Only Kazakhs a minority in their country Tajiks speak a language similar to Farsi

4. A. Ethnic Diversity cont. 4. Caucasian Peoples Armenians, Georgians, and Azeris Armenia: 90% Armenians, have own language and alphabet Georgia: also have their own language and alphabet Both groups: mainly Christians Converted around 300s Azeris mainly Muslim and speak a Turkic language

5. B. Population Density and Distribution 283 million live here Russia has 147 million 1. Density 32 per sq. mile 2 � times bigger than the U.S. Dense on the North European Plain 2. Distribution and the Environment Too harsh east of the Urals Most people live west of the Urals Dense near the cities Moscow, Kiev, and St. Petersburg Along major rivers

6. II. History and Government A. Early Peoples and States Influx of many peoples 1. River Settlers and Towns Slavs settled near the Dnieper and Volga Built trading towns 800s. Varangians (Vikings) settled and brought govt. Est. Kievan Rus Adopted the language and converted to Christianity Loose union of states ruled by Kiev 2. Mongols Invaded in the 1200s Slavs fled to Moscow Ivan, Prince of Muscovy drove the Mongols out in 1400s

7. B. The Rule of the Czars Ivan III was the first Czar Moscow the religious and political center of Russia 1. A Window to the West Peter I wanted to modernize Russia Borught westerners in to help Fought Sweden for ports, built the navy up, and built St. Petersburg

8. B. The Rule of the Czars cont. 2. Seeds of Discontent 1800s, people resented iron fist rule of Czars Peasants, serfs, and workers lived in poverty Many favored socialism Ownership of all land and factories by the workers Karl Marx Revolution would lead to a classless society Czarist Reforms Freed serfs and educ. Russification: promoted Russian culture More hardships in WWI Workers overran Petrograd, the army joined them March 1917, Czar Nicholas II abdicated

9. C. The Soviet Era Bolsheviks toppled the new govt. in Nov. 1917 1. Birth of a New Nation V.I. Lenin, �Peace, Land, and Bread�: communism Pulled Russia out of WWI Civil War in Russia Bolsheviks vs. Mensheviks 1921, communists won the war Est. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

10. C. The Soviet Era cont. 2. Building and Expanding the Communist State 1920s, Joseph Stalin in power Series of five-year plan to make the USSR an industrial giant Govt. took over factories, farms, and businesses Those who resisted: put in force labor camps or killed WWII, invaded by Germany 30 million dead Soviets Soviets expanded their territory as a buffer zone Opposed by the U.S. in the Cold War 1985: Mikhail Gorbachev Perestroika: reform Glasnost: openess

11. D. New Republics 1990, people dissatisfied with communism Republics declared independence 1991, Russia held elections Boris Yeltsin won Military coup failed in Aug. By Dec., the USSR gone Formed the Commonwealth of Independent States Economic reforms for free enterprise Social and economic problems Street violence, organized crime, ethnic unrest, falling economy, and a lack of capital

12. III. Cultures and Lifestyles A. Religion Soviets thought people should be atheists 1988, Gorbachev allowed religious freedom 1. Christianity Most are Eastern Orthodox Use icons,religious images in church Georgia and Armenia have their own church Patriarch: leader in Orthodox churches

13. A. Religion cont. 2. Islam 60 million in the �Stan� countries Mainly Sunni, except the Azeris 3. Judaism Suffered a lot pogroms: attacks and massacres Most have fled the country Today, people are still 40% nonreligious

14. B. Education High literacy in the Soviet Era 1. The Soviet Legacy Taught in Russian Promoted communism No modern equipment Placement exams for high school 2. Local and Regional Needs Teach in native tongues Adjusted to fit their cultures

15. C. The Arts 1. The Golden Years 1800-early 1900s Faberge Eggs Composers Peter Tchaikovsky Literature Tolstoy, Dostoyevsky, Turgenev, Gorky, and Pasternak 2. Contemporay Times No restrictions today Soviets: socialist realism Promote the country Enjoying the lack of censorship

16. D. Life and Leisure Soviet lfiestyle, not many surprises 1. Way of Life Rural areas, still traditional life Urban areas, crowded in apartments 2. Leisure-time Activities TV, movies, concerts, and reading Hockey, basketball, soccer, tennis, outdoor activities, and ice skating 3. Holidays and Celebrations Blend old folk practices with new ones May Day, workers holiday Christmas and Easter have returned