© T. M. Whitmore

Today: The historical development of the region geo-politically and industrially

•Historical development of Russian Empire

•USSR (the Soviet Union) 1921 - 1989

•Industrial development & its geography

© T. M. Whitmore

Last time•Region defined (ex-USSR sans C.

Asia)

•Huge expanse – very north

•Environmental constraints to development

•Key resources: oil, gas

© T. M. Whitmore

Historical development of the Russian Empire

•Early Slavic state – 800 AD•Invasion of Genghis Kahn and

Tartars 1240 AD•Rise of Muscovy and the Ivans •Great Russian imperial expansion

1500 – 1815•Additions 1815 – 1917

1300-1450

1450-15001500-1800

1500-1800

1800s

Russian Peasant Girlshttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/Church of the Resurrection in Kostroma in the northern part of European Russia

The Emir of Bukharahttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/A merchant at the Samarkand market

Nomadic Kazakhs on the Steppe

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

Dagestani Couple

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

Russian Settlers in the Borderlands

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

Turkmen Camel Driver

http://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

Hay Harvesthttp://www.loc.gov/exhibits/empire/

© T. M. Whitmore

Outcomes of Russian imperialism/colonialism

• 400+ yrs of territorial expansion/conquest/colonialism!

• Coincides with W European age of colonization

• By 1900 Russia largest contiguous empire on earth But,

• Huge pop ~ 130 m, but only 50% Russian• Static and backward economy• Held together by force, the RR, and thin

wedge of Russian settlement

Trans-Siberian Railway1861-1916

Human Footprint (SEDAC)

© T. M. Whitmore

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR 1921 - 1989)•Russian Revolution and fall of

Tsarist Empire (1917-1920)•15 so-called “independent”

Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs) •Russian SSR has 21 internal

“Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republics”

•Most SSRs and ASSRs are different “nations” (ethnicities)

•Centripetal forces within USSR

© T. M. Whitmore

USSR (1921 - 1989)

•Forces of devolutionPoor economyPoor agricultureEthnic & civil divisionsCold war and Afghanistan

© T. M. Whitmore

Collapse of USSR 1989

•Margins pull out

•Russian minorities in former SSRS

•Futures of Russia and its Neighbors

© T. M. Whitmore

Industrial development & its geography

•Role of Stalinist - soviet style central planning

•Role of WW II

•Role of Cold War arms race

•Industrial regions in former USSR (not just Russia)

•Role of breakup of former USSR

© T. M. Whitmore

Futures

•Economic problems

•Ethnic strife internally and on borders

•External challenges & losses

•Internal social problems