Unit 6 Study Notes
Use the timeline and your knowledge of social studies to answer the following question.
Russian Governments
Russia ruled by
a Democratic
Republic
Russia
ruled by
Monarchy
1900
1925
1950
1975
2000
Russia ruled
by
Communist
One of the characteristics of the area of Russia and Eurasia over the last 125 years is the major change in the
types of government that the region has experienced. Russia has been ruled by several different types of
government and leadership. Which forms of government belong in the time line above?
I. Monarchy…II. Communism…III. Democratic Republic
Vladimir Lenin contributed many things to Soviet/Russian history. Some were not so good. The number one
thing Lenin is credited with contributing to Russia’s history is that he introduced Communism to the
government of Russia?
There have been many historical changes in Russia and the Republics over the years. Some were very
important events. After World War II, territories that are now independent nations, were brought under the
control of the Soviet Union. This was done through force in most cases. In more recent times, conflicts
between the people and their rulers in the USSR brought about political changes, and new nations were
formed. This was a result of internal conflicts and economic problems. Most of the new nations are located to
the west and southwest of Russia, the largest of the former Soviet republics. All of these are correct.
Look at the data in the two tables above. One table shows farm production in Russia and the other shows
mineral deposits in Russia. Look closely at each one. There are several generalizations that can be made from
the information found in the maps. Of the following generalizations, which is best supported by the data set?
Farming and ranching are located in the coldest parts of Russia.
Farming and ranching are located in areas different from the areas where oil and coal are found.
Farming and ranching are located in the same areas as oil drilling and coal mining.
Farming and ranching are located throughout the country of Russia and are not related to the location
of natural resources or other geographic factors.
Russia's harsh climate BEST explains patterns of settlement across the Nation. People tend to try to settle
where the climate is not so harsh. Eastern Russia has a very harsh climate with extremely cold winters and
therefore is hard to adapt to those conditions. The climate in western Russia, especially Southwestern area,
have the best climate in Russia and therefore has the largest population. Climate and geography explain why
most of the cities of Russia are located in the Southwest
Most coal resources in Russia are along the north coast, and in central to eastern Russia. The majority of
Russia’s vast natural resources are found in the Eastern part of the country. This is why so many heavy
industries are located in Eastern Russia. It’s also why there has been problems with pollution there.
The Eastern part of Russia, east of the Ural Mountains, is known as Siberia. Settlers in Siberia have adapted
to very harsh environmental factors in the region. The major factor is permafrost land. Permafrost is frozen
ground. It is so cold in the northern part of Siberia that even in the summer the ground only actually thaws out
about 4 to 6 inches down. Below that it remains frozen permanently and therefore the name ”permafrost”. This
causes many problems, especially in building any type of structures on it. As a result, settlers in Siberia have
had to adapt to this harsh climate in many ways.
Russia's major industries are located in the Eastern portion of the country because most of the usable natural
resources are there. When these resources were first being developed, the government felt it best to locate the
industries where the resources were located rather than trying to transport the resources out. It was cheaper to
relocate people to work there than to move all the natural resources.
The economies of the independent republics that used to be under the control of the Soviet Union benefited
from the end of communist control. Much more money and new business projects are coming from outside
sources. With the new stability the new republics now are seeing more people and businesses wanting to
invest there, therefore their economies are improving.
Under the Soviet Union, workers, such as farmers and laborers, worked for the state. Today, those same
workers make their own decisions about a job. The Soviet Union was an unlimited government where the
citizens had few rights. They could not own property, they could not move jobs without permission, they could
not buy goods from any store other than the one the government said they could use. They had few rights,
especially where it came to work.
Cultural practices in Russia have changed greatly since the years of the Soviet Union. There are modern
businesses, such as McDonald's and computer manufacturers, where before, there were long lines at stores
that produced goods of poor quality. There are criminal organizations today, where before,
there was government controlled spying and repression. When governments change to democracy, cultural
borrowing by people can bring about both good and bad choices. This is what the people of Russia
experienced after the Soviet Union fell apart.
Vladimir Lenin is considered to be an important individual to Russian history. Lenin introduced Communism
to Russia. Under Lenin's rule, Soviet citizens lived under communism, a totalitarian government. It was an
unlimited government where all parts of life was totally controlled by the government. Totalitarian = total control
and that means an unlimited government.
What is the BEST definition of culture? Shared beliefs and values is the answer.
Russia did many things to try to draw its people closer together. It tried to tie the different regions together
culturally. So, how did the Russian government act to strengthen Russian culture? It required Russian to be
the official language. This creates a strong bond among all the culturally different parts of Russia to have a
sense of one nation.
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