Russia Study Guide

Ivan IV / Ivan the Terrible

First Tsar of Russia, acquired lots of land, created a stronger national government, waged war on nobles, left leadership in chaotic state

Peter the Great

Built Western-style navy, expanded Russian territory, started Westernization, pushed for women's rights, lessened influence of Russian orthodox church

Catherine the Great

Enlightened monarch, expanded borders, called for free schools, supported cultural projects, continued reforms and Westernization

Alexander I

Centralized laws, defeated Napoleon, started process of freeing serfs, increased Russian influence in Europe

Nicholas II

Last tsar, faced period of instability, forced to create a law-making body called the Duma, chaos after his reign led to Communist takeover

Rasputin

Spiritual mystic, close with the Royal family, influenced the tsar, survived several assassination attempts

Karl Marx

Wrote the communist manifesto, Marxism is different from communism

Vladimir Lenin

Believed in Marxism, made Russia a communist nation, banned Religion, gave women equal rights

Josef Stalin

Known for brutal rule, caused The Holodomor, led Soviet Union into nuclear age, destroyed individual freedom and prosperity

Leonid Brezhnev

Known for demolishing Soviet Economy, invested in arms race, actions almost led to the destruction of the Soviet Union

Mikhail Gorbachev

Ended the Cold War and the Soviet Union, known as a bad president for Russia, brought the West closer to Russia

Vladimir Putin

"Democratically" elected president, wants to be a totalitarian leader, uses propaganda and social media to control the narrative

Alexei Navalny

Opposition to Putin, almost got killed by Putin's people

Evgeny Prigozhin

Started Wagner, used to help Putin, got killed for trying to save the people

Volodymyr Zelensky

President of Ukraine, ex comedian/actor

Feudalism

Complex system of rights and obligations

Czar

Russian word for emperor

Boyar

Wealthy class with land ownership, serf ownership, and military/administrative function

Serfs

Lowest class of feudal society, laborers bound to the land, essentially slaves to landowners

Russian Revolution

Led by Lenin, occurred due to social inequality, led to Communist takeover

Socialism

Advocates for community ownership of means of production, distribution, and exchange

Communism

Advocates for publicly owned property and work according to abilities and needs

Capitalism

Economic system with private industry for profit

Bourgeoisie and Proletariat

Middle class with materialistic values, working-class people collectively

Russian Propaganda for Kids

Promotes no alcohol, independence, respect, hard work, equality, and family values

Stalin's Rule

Used people's food to feed friends, caused The Holodomor, led Great Purge, industrialized the USSR

The Holodomor

Famine in Ukraine caused by Soviet Union, resulted from Stalin's policies and desire for control

Collectivization

Industrialized farming run by the government, bled farms dry, portrayed rich farmers as greedy parasites

Stalin's Cult of Personality

Soviet propaganda portrayed Stalin as an all-knowing, strong leader, constantly praised and idolized

Three reasons for fall of Soviet Union

Wealth gap, investments in arms race, Glasnost and Perestroika

Glasnost

Policy of openness, transparency, and lessening censorship in the government

Perestroika

Policy of economic restructuring, hybrid Communist-Capitalist model, allowing private businesses

War in Ukraine

Started due to attempted mutiny, currently a stalemate with Russia attacking civilians