World Studies Quiz on Russia & The Cold War

Definition of autocracy and which early ruler established it.

A government where one ruler has total power, established by Ivan the Terrible (Ivan IV).

Explain the long-term impact of Prince Vladimir’s decision to adopt Eastern Orthodox Christianity

Made Eastern Orthodox Christianity the official religion; tied Russia to Byzantine traditions, shaped Russian culture, and separated it from Western Europe (Catholic/Protestant).

Identify the main goals of Peter the Great.

Westernize/modernize Russia, build a strong navy, expand territory, and increase state power.

Understand what Catherine the Great's reaction to Pugachev's Rebellion revealed about her view on absolute power.

Her harsh response showed she would not give up absolute power and relied on nobles to control peasants.

social structure of 19th-century Russia, specifically the percentage of the population that were peasants/serfs.

About 80–85% of Russians were peasants/serfs.

Describe the living and working conditions for the proletariat (industrial workers).

Long hours, low pay, unsafe factories, crowded housing → growing discontent.

Understand the role Grigori Rasputin played in weakening the Tsar's government.

Mystic who influenced the royal family; weakened trust in the Tsar’s government and symbolized corruption.

Explain the major impacts of World War I on Russia that helped lead to the revolution.

Huge military losses, food shortages, economic collapse, and rising anger at Tsar Nicholas II.

Lenin’s famous slogan

“Peace, Land, and Bread.” Promised to peasants to gain support.

Explain Red Army vs. White Army (Civil War)

Red Army = Bolsheviks, communism, led by Trotsky. White Army = Anti-Bolsheviks (royalists, liberals, foreign powers), wanted to stop communism.

How Stalin gained power after Lenin’s death

Outsmarted rivals like Trotsky, controlled the Communist Party, propaganda, and secret police.

Definition of Totalitarian state

Government has total control over all aspects of life (politics, economy, culture, ideas).

Stalin’s Five-Year Plans goals

Rapid industrialization (steel, coal, electricity) to modernize the USSR.

Explain the devastating consequences of the collectivization of agriculture.

Farms seized by state → famine, millions died, peasant resistance crushed.

Stalin’s Great Purge

Eliminated rivals and enemies (party members, officers, intellectuals) through executions and labor camps.

Capitalism vs. Communism

Capitalism = private ownership, free market, individual choice. Communism = government ownership, planned economy, equality of outcome.

Define what the "Iron Curtain" was.

Churchill’s term for the political/military divide between communist Eastern Europe and capitalist Western Europe.

Potsdam Conference promise regarding Eastern Europe.

Free elections in Eastern Europe (USSR broke this promise).

What was the Nuclear Arms Race?

Competition between U.S. and USSR to build powerful nuclear weapons.

What was the goal of U.S. Containment Policy

Strategy to stop the spread of communism worldwide.

Purpose of Truman Doctrine

U.S. aid to countries resisting communism (like Greece, Turkey).

Purpose of Marshall Plan

U.S. gave money to rebuild Western Europe to prevent spread of communism.

What is the difference between the two military alliances NATO vs. Warsaw Pact

NATO = U.S. & Western Europe alliance. Warsaw Pact = USSR & Eastern Europe alliance.

Cold War definition

A state of tension and competition between the U.S. and USSR (ideological, political, military) without direct large-scale fighting.