Regions Since the fall of the Soviet Union, Russia has been struggling to build a democracy and a free market economy. It also has sought to regain its influence in world affairs. Such major changes are difficult, however, and the world will watch with great interest as Russia works to become a successful democratic nation. Why is the success of democracy in Russia important to the rest of the world?

Belinsky Yuri/ITAR-TASS/CORBIS

406 • Chapter 15

Russia Today

Belinsky Yuri/ITAR-TASS/CORBIS

Chapter 15 • 407

Social Studies ONLINE To preview Chapter 15, go to glencoe.com.

Section 1: A Changing RussiaBIG IDEA Geographers organize the Earth into regions that share common characteristics. New democratic institutions and a free market economy link the different parts of Russia. These positive changes, however, are threatened by the government’s abuse of power, the spread of corruption in business, and a decline in population.

Section 2: Issues and ChallengesBIG IDEA Geography is used to interpret the past, understand the present, and plan for the future. The change to democracy and a market economy has been difficult for Russia because of its long history of all-powerful governments. The country also faces challenges from ethnic groups that want independence.

Organizing Information Make this Foldable to organize information about political and social changes in Russia and other issues in Russia today.

Step 1 Fold a sheet of paper in half from side to side so that the left edge lies about ½ inch from the right edge.

Step 3 Label the Foldable as shown.

Russia andthe World

Challenges

EconomicRegions

Changes inSociety

PoliticalChanges

A C

hang

ing R

ussia

Reading and Writing Use the notes in your Foldable to create an outline showing the major issues facing Russia today.

Step 2 Cut the top layer only to make five tabs.

Russians relaxing on May Day holiday, St. Petersburg

Reuters/CORBIS

408 • Chapter 15

Geographers organize the Earth

into regions that share common

characteristics.

Content Vocabulary• privatization (p. 409)

• middle class (p. 410)

• underemployment (p. 410)

• pensioner (p. 410)

• heavy industry (p. 411)

• light industry (p. 411)

Academic Vocabulary• comprise (p. 409)

• invest (p. 410)

• volume (p. 411)

Reading StrategyIdentifying Central Issues Use a

diagram like the one below to show

three major effects of the fall of

communism on Russia.

A Changing Russia

Modern-day Matryoshka dolls, St. Petersburg, Russia

The figures below are toys,

art, and a history lesson all in one! Matryoshka

dolls, which fit one inside the other, are popu-

lar toys and have been hand painted in Russia

since the late 1800s. The traditional version of

the Matryoshka shows a Russian woman wear-

ing a babushka (scarf) and an apron. Here, art

becomes history, as the colorful dolls represent

Soviet and Russian leaders (from left to right)

Mikhail Gorbachev, Boris Yeltsin, and Vladimir

Putin. To learn more about recent changes in

Russia, read Section 1.

Fall of Communism

Ivan Sekretarev/AP Images

Chapter 15 • 409

Changing Politics and SocietyMain Idea Main Idea The fall of communism led to great changes in Russia’s government, economy, and society.Geography and You Can you imagine having to

completely change your way of life? Read to learn how

Russians faced that situation in the early 1990s.

Russia is still adjusting to the changes

that occurred in the 1990s. When commu-

nism fell in 1991, Russia was forced to build

a new government and economy. These

ongoing changes continue to greatly affect

the everyday lives of the Russian people.

A New Form of GovernmentThe Communist Party ruled Rus-

sia when it was part of the Soviet Union.

The Communists did not allow people to

challenge their power, and everyday citi-

zens had no voice in choosing their lead-

ers. After the fall of communism, however,

Russia became more democratic.

In a 1993 election, Russian voters

approved a new constitution and elected

members of a legislature to represent them.

This new legislature included candidates

from many different political parties. Boris

Yeltsin, who was Russia’s leader when it

was a Soviet republic, was elected the first

president of Russia.

Russia’s official name is the Russian

Federation. This name reflects the fact that

Russia comprises, or is made up of, many

different regions and territories. Like the

United States, Russia is a federal repub-

lic, with power divided between national

and regional governments. In the United

States, some powers belong to the states,

and others belong only to the national gov-

ernment. Some powers are shared by both

levels of government. In Russia, the divi-

sion of powers is less clear because the new

Russian government is still developing.

A New Economic SystemAs part of the Soviet Union, Russia had

a command economy. In a command econ-

omy, the central government makes all the

economic decisions. Since the fall of com-

munism, Russia has attempted to shift to a

market economy.

To create a market economy, the gov-

ernment introduced privatization

(pry∙vuh∙tuh∙ZAY∙shuhn). This is the

transfer of ownership of businesses from

the government to individuals. In the new

system, businesses have to compete with

one another. As a result, Russian compa-

nies have begun to advertise to attract cus-

tomers. The government has also dropped

price controls, which were official prices

set for different goods and services. In a

market economy, prices result from com-

petition among companies and from what

Russian consumers need, want, and are

willing to pay.

Voting in Russia

Voters in Russia today can choose from many political parties and groups. Regions What role did most citizens have in their government when Russia was part of the Soviet Union?

•

AP Images

410 • Chapter 15

Changes in SocietyWith the end of Communist rule, the

government loosened its control on Russian

society. Many different political parties were

able to organize. Russians were allowed to

criticize leaders and their policies. Addition-

ally, the government no longer controlled

the content of news reports or books.

Along with political freedom, Russians

began to have more contact with other

cultures. American and European books,

television shows, and CDs became more

readily available to Russians. Many people

embraced the new ideas, music, and fash-

ions that became available.

Russia’s new economy led to the spread

of consumerism—the desire to buy goods.

Russians eagerly sought goods they had

not been able to buy for years. Businesses

prospered, and a Russian middle class

emerged. This term refers to a social group

that is neither very rich nor poor, but has

enough money to buy cars, new clothing,

electronics, and other luxury items.

The new economic system gave work-

ers freedom to quit their jobs and seek

employment elsewhere. Russians who

were willing to take risks could open their

own businesses. People also could invest,

or put money into businesses run by others,

in the hope of making even more money.

This new economic freedom, however, did

not guarantee success. Both new businesses

and old businesses, which were no longer

supported by the government, failed. Some

tried to stay open by firing workers to cut

costs. Other businesses simply could not

compete and closed, putting more Russians

out of work. Some skilled Russian workers

still face underemployment, which means

they are forced to take jobs that require

lesser skills than they have. Many people

must work second jobs to survive.

The unsettled economy is also difficult

for pensioners (PEHN∙shuh∙nuhrs). Pen-

sioners are people who receive regular

payments from the government because

they are too old or too sick to work. The

amount of these payments is usually fixed,

or remains the same. When prices rise

but the amount of the payments does not

increase, it becomes difficult for pension-

ers to buy goods. These problems caused

many Russians to oppose privatization.

Population ChangesRussia’s population also has experienced

change. During Soviet times, many ethnic

Russians moved to other parts of the Soviet

Union. When these republics became inde-

pendent, the ethnic Russians often were no

longer welcome. About 3 million of them

decided to return to Russia. People of other

Russia’s New Economy

Department stores and large discount stores are opening in Russia as the economy grows and people have more money to spend on consumer goods. Place What is the middle class?

•

Life Expectancies: Russia and Europe

CountryAverage Life Expectancy

Men Women

Sweden 78 83

Italy 77 83

France 76 84

Germany 76 82

Poland 71 79

Russia 60 74

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2006.

1 Identifying Which country has the highest average life expec-tancy for women?

2 Explaining Why are life expec-tancies in Russia lower than those in most of Europe?

Chapter 15 • 411

ethnic groups also left for Russia to escape

hardships in the new republics.

Despite this arrival of immigrants, Rus-

sia’s population declined from 150 million

people in 1991 to 143 million in 2006. This

decline is the result of a combination of

low birthrates and rising death rates. The

life expectancy of men has decreased to 60

years, compared with 74 years for women.

These rates are well below those of other

developed countries.

The sharp decline in life expectancy is

a result of poor nutrition, alcoholism, and

drug abuse. Also, pollution has led to more

lung diseases. Meanwhile, government

spending on health care has dropped.

Comparing How is

Russia’s government similar to that of the

United States?

Russia’s Economic RegionsMain Idea Main Idea Russia’s four economic regions differ in the resources and products they supply.Geography and You How does your community

contribute to your state’s or the nation’s economy? Read

to learn how Russia’s different regions contribute to the

Russian economy.

The Moscow RegionMoscow is the political, economic, and

transportation center of Russia. A large

amount of manufacturing takes place in or

near Moscow. Under Soviet rule, most of

Russia’s factories focused on heavy industry,

or the production of goods such as machin-

ery, mining equipment, and steel. After

communism’s fall, more factories shifted to

light industry, or the production of consumer

goods, such as clothing and household

products. High technology and electronics

industries have also developed in Moscow.

St. Petersburg and the Baltic RegionSt. Petersburg and the Baltic region are

located in northwestern Russia. St. Peters-

burg, once Russia’s capital, is a major port

and cultural center. Well-known for its pal-

aces and churches, St. Petersburg attracts

thousands of tourists from around the

world each year.

Located near the Baltic Sea, St. Peters-

burg is an important trading center. A

high volume, or amount, of goods passes

through its port. The city is also a major

industrial center. Factories here make

machinery, ships, automobiles, and other

items. St. Petersburg relies on other regions

for food, fuel, and other resources.

412 • Chapter 15

Kaliningrad is another major Russian

port along the Baltic Sea. It lies in a small

piece of Russian land, about the size of the

state of Connecticut, between Poland and

Lithuania. This small area of Russia is iso-

lated from the country’s main area. Goods

shipped to Kaliningrad must cross other

countries to reach the nearest inland part

of Russia. Kaliningrad is Russia’s only port

on the Baltic Sea that stays ice-free all year.

The Volga and Urals RegionThe Volga and Urals region lies south

and east of Moscow. It is a major center

of manufacturing and farming. The Volga

River is vital to these economic activities.

This 2,300-mile (3,701-km) waterway car-

ries nearly half of Russia’s river traffic. The

Volga River also supplies water for hydro-

electric power and for irrigation. Farmers

in the region grow large amounts of wheat,

sugar beets, and other crops.

The area of the Ural Mountains is a major

source for Russian resources. The moun-

tains contain important minerals, includ-

ing copper, gold, lead, nickel, and bauxite,

as well as energy resources.

SiberiaSiberia’s cold Arctic winds, rugged land-

scapes, and frozen ground make it diffi-

cult to take advantage of the region’s many

resources. The lands of Siberia hold valu-

able deposits of iron ore, uranium, gold,

and coal. Timber from the sprawling taiga

is also an important resource for Russia.

Since resources in other parts of the world

are being used up, Russia’s economic

future may depend on its ability to make

use of Siberia’s resources.

Categorizing Which of

Russia’s economic regions are important for

manufacturing? For agriculture?

Vocabulary1. Explain the significance of:

a. privatization d. pensioner

b. middle class e. heavy industry

c. underemployment f. light industry

Main Ideas2. Describing Describe some of the freedoms

the Russian people gained after the fall of

communism.

3. Explaining Create a chart like the one below

to list at least two ways each economic region

contributes to the Russian economy.

Region Contributions

Critical Thinking4. Analyzing Information Why have some

Russians opposed the privatization of indus-

tries and businesses?

5. Compare and contrast the cities of

Moscow and St. Petersburg in terms of loca-

tion and economic activity.

6. Challenge What might happen to a country

if it cannot obtain and make use of its own

available resources?

Writing About Geography7. Persuasive Writing Write an editorial to

support or oppose the changes that the new

democratic Russian government made after

the fall of communism.

Section ReviewSocial Studies ONLINEStudy Central™ To review this section, go to glencoe.com.

AP Photo

PERSPECTIVES

EXPLORINGEXPLORING

WORLDWORLDISSUESISSUES

Russians are enjoying new Russians are enjoying new

freedoms under democracy. freedoms under democracy.

But are their freedoms threatened?But are their freedoms threatened?Russians attend a political rally.

ince the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russians have worked hard to turn their

country into a democracy with a free market system. Today, many Russians have more freedom than ever. As a result of recent reforms, citizens can now own private businesses and elect their leaders.

The new freedoms, however, have also brought new challenges. Cor-ruption has risen among government and private workers. A minority group in Chechnya has carried out terror-ist acts that have killed hundreds. As Russia’s government combats these challenges, experts wonder if Russia’s new freedoms could be lost.

S

AP PHOTO

Who Russia Trades With

INTERPRETING GraphsAnalyzing Information On what continent are Russia’s three top export partners located?

Wolfgang Kaehler/CORBIS

414 Russia’s Challenging Road to Democracy

EXPLORINGEXPLORING

WORLDWORLDISSUESISSUESPERSPECTIVES

WO

LFG

AN

G

KA

EH

LER

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RB

IS

Increased housing construction is a sign of Russia’s growing economy.

With territory that extends from Europe to Asia, Russia is the

largest country in the world. Through-out its history, Russia has faced many great challenges. For centuries Russia was ruled by czars, or absolute rulers. In 1922, following a violent revolution, Russia became part of a group of repub-lics called the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (U.S.S.R.).

The U.S.S.R. had a Communist gov-ernment that was very powerful and controlling. The U.S.S.R.’s Communist rulers often kept information about the country secret from the outside world. British prime minister Winston Churchill once called the U.S.S.R. “a riddle wrapped in a mystery.”

The government controlled nearly every part of Soviet society. It owned

all property and businesses and told citizens what they could do for a living and where they would live. Those suspected of disagreeing with the government were sent to labor camps in Siberia, a brutally cold area in eastern Russia. During the Soviet era, millions of people were imprisoned, executed, or tortured.

A New ChapterOver time, the Soviet Union began

to decline under its harsh system. Many citizens were assigned jobs they did not like. Many of those people were unin-spired and did not work very hard. As a result, production suffered, and there were all types of shortages, including food and energy.

In the mid-1980s, the Soviet Union’s leaders tried to reform the nation’s Communist system. They introduced

the policies of glasnost and perestroika. Glas-nost is a Russian word that means “openness.” Perestroika means “re-structuring.” Under glasnost, people were allowed to speak their opinions freely for the first time ever. Perestroika gave some of the government’s decision-making power to private individuals and businesses.

WHERE WILL REFORMS LEAD?

In 2005, Russia exported $245 billion worth of goods. These are its top export partners.

Source: CIA World Factbook, 2006.

(l c) AP Photo, (r) Peter Blakely/CORBIS SABA

Russia’s Challenging Road to Democracy 415

A Russian family shops at a modern mall in Moscow.

U.S. president George W. Bush meets with Russian president Vladimir Putin.

Oil wells such as this one dot the Siberian landscape.

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Not everyone, however, agreed with these reforms. Conservatives who sup-ported the Communist Party and the military tried to take control of the So-viet government. Their attempt failed and eventually led to the Soviet Union’s collapse in 1991. Since then, the Rus-sian government and people have been working to change their country into a democracy.

Some of these changes have been successful. Russians now elect their leaders in free and open elections. Under the Soviet system, only members of the Communist Party could vote. Economic reforms have also been in-troduced to create a free market econ-omy. Russians can now own their own factories, shops, and other businesses. Companies are buying materials to help them grow in the future. As a result of the reforms, the economy has grown.

A Long Road to DemocracyAs successful as the economic

reforms have been, many experts believe Russia has a long way to go before it has a stable democracy. The reforms have brought freedom, but they have also created new challenges. Criminal gangs and corruption thrive in Russia’s open market. Many people must secretly pay offi cials to get drivers’ licenses and permits to build houses and businesses.

Other challenges threaten Russia’s security. In Chechnya, an area in south-ern Russia, rebels have been at war with the government since 1994. The rebels

want Chechnya to be an independent nation. They have carried out terror-ist attacks against Russia. Hundreds of innocent people, including children, have died.

An Uncertain FutureSome experts think that the chal-

lenges Russia faces could weaken the nation’s young democracy. They worry that the new freedoms are in danger of being lost as the government works to stop corruption and improve security. Critics of Russia’s president Vladimir Putin have complained that, under his leadership, the government has abused civil liberties, or individual freedoms, and attacked democratic institutions like the free media.

Is a lasting democracy possible in Russia? The Russian people have a long history of dealing with diffi cult times and challenges. The future will tell whether history’s lessons will be enough to establish democracy in the world’s largest country.

EXPLORINGEXPLORING THE ISSUETHE ISSUE

1.1 . Making Inferences How might wide-spread government corruption threaten democracy in Russia?

2 .2 . Identifying Cause and Effect How do you think glasnost and per-estroika contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union?

Smolsky Sergei/ITAR-TASS/CORBIS

416 Russia’s Challenging Road to Democracy

PERSPECTIVES

In recent years, Russia has suffered a series of deadly terrorist attacks by

Chechen rebels. In 2004 terrorists took control of a school and killed more than 300 people, including many children. Other bombings took place at bus and train stations. Altogether, more than 500 people were killed in 2004 as a re-sult of terrorist attacks.

The attacks have shocked and an-gered the people of Russia. In Septem-ber 2004, Russians fi lled the streets of St. Petersburg and Moscow to protest terrorism against their country. Many carried signs with antiterrorism slo-gans. Some read, “We won’t give Russia to terrorists.”

The demonstrators believed rebels from Chechnya were responsible for the attacks in 2004. In 2005, however, the violence continued as Chechen rebels set off another bomb in a village in the Caucasus region. The explosion killed 14 people.

A Bitter HistoryThe people of Chechnya want to

form their own country. Most Chech-ens are Muslims, which sets them apart from Russians, who tend to be Christians. Russia fi rst conquered Chechnya in 1858, but Chechens never accepted Russian rule. In 1991 Chechnya declared independence, but Russia would not allow it. Russians believe the territory belongs to them. In 1994 Russia went to war against the Chechen rebels. Hundreds of thousands of Chechens died in the fi ghting.

In 1996 Chechnya won the right to elect its own government, but it re-mained part of Russia. When Chechen attacks continued, Russian president Vladimir Putin sent troops back into the region in 1999.

Will there be peace? Putin said he would not make deals with terrorists. He said the violence was a “full-scale war.” Still, the ongoing hostility puts pressure on Russian and Chechen leaders to fi nd a way to end this deadly confl ict.

TERROR IN RUSSIA

Russians protested the terrorist attacks.

1 .1 . Explaining Why does Vladimir Putin call the violence a “full scale war”?

2 .2 . Making Inferences Why might the Chechen rebels feel that Chechnya should be free?

EXPLORINGEXPLORING THE ISSUETHE ISSUE

SMO

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Russia’s Challenging Road to Democracy 417

UNDERSTANDING THE ISSUE

Making Connections How might glasnost and perestroika have con-tributed to the creation of new ideas and ways of doing business?

Writing to Inform Suppose you are a Russian student. Write a letter to an American friend explaining some of the new freedoms that Russian citizens enjoy.

Writing to Persuade Russia has large amounts of natural resources, like oil and timber, and a well-educated population. Write a brief essay about how these strengths might help Russia build a strong democracy.

INTERNET RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

Like today’s Russia, the United States had a weak banking system when it was fi rst founded. With your teacher’s help, browse the Internet to learn how the U.S. strengthened its early banking system. List ways Russia might learn from the U.S. experience.

Important industries in Russia, like steel and manufacturing, need to be modernized. Browse the Internet for information about how Russia plans to update one of these industries. Share your fi ndings with the class.

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Visit your school or local library to learn more about the Soviet Union’s labor camps in Siberia. Work in a group to fi nd out what it was like to live in a camp. What hardships did those living in the camps have to endure? Present your fi ndings to your classmates.

Research other nations, such as Great Britain and Spain, that have had to fi ght terrorism. What might Russia learn from those nations in dealing with Chechnya? Put your fi ndings in a report.

Russia’s Natural Resources

Russia is a vast country that holds many of the world’s natural resources. The map shows where some of Russia’s resources are located.

A Russian worker produces steel at a

metallurgy plant in the Ural Mountains.

1 .1 . Analyzing Information Based on the map’s key, what type of work might prisoners in Sibe-rian labor camps have done?

2 .2 . Drawing Conclusions Why might Russia want to protect its interests in its southwest?

Building Map Building Map Reading SkillsReading Skills

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2

3

4

6

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5

Richard Nowitz/National Geographic Image Collection

418 • Chapter 15

Geography is used to interpret the

past, understand the present, and plan

for the future.

Content Vocabulary• decree (p. 419)

• oligarch (p. 420)

• deposit insurance (p. 421)

• separatist movement (p. 421)

Academic Vocabulary• prior (p. 419)

• unify (p. 421)

• conduct (p. 421)

Reading StrategyAnalyzing Information Use a

diagram like the one below to identify

the changes, both positive and negative,

that have resulted from Russia’s switch

to a free market economy.

Issues and Challenges

Most popular possession in Russia

What do you think is the

most popular possession in Russia? A car? A

computer? No, it is most likely a cell phone.

The popularity of cell phones has skyrocketed

in Russia. Russia has a growing middle class

with money to spend. Young business-savvy

Russians are starting companies that pro-

vide trendy and modern products––like cell

phones––to this middle class. As the number

of cell phone businesses has increased, so has

cell phone use. It is estimated that in 1996,

only 10,000 people in Moscow owned cell

phones, which cost about $2,000 each! Now

80 million Russians, or about 60 percent of the

population, own cell phones, which cost about

$100 each. The economy is just one part of

Russia that is changing. Read on to learn more

about modern Russia’s challenges.

Russia’s Changing Economy

Reuters/CORBIS

Chapter 15 • 419

Social Studies ONLINEStudent Web Activity Visit glencoe.com and complete the

Chapter 15 Web Activity about Russia’s government.

Political and Economic ChallengesMain Idea Main Idea Russians face many chal-lenges as they try to build a democracy and a market economy.Geography and You Do you think a country needs

strong leaders to solve serious problems? Can leaders

become too strong? Read to learn about growing chal-

lenges to Russia’s democracy and free market economy.

Even with its many resources and indus-

trial power, Russia is finding it difficult to

make its new government and economy

successful. Prior to 1991, Russians had lit-

tle experience with democratic govern-

ment. Now many political parties compete

in free elections. Also, after communism’s

fall, Russians began to make their own eco-

nomic decisions.

Roadblocks to DemocracyBecoming truly democratic has not been

easy for Russia. Confusion over govern-

mental powers is one problem. For exam-

ple, the Russian president’s power to issue

decrees—rulings that have the force of law

but do not need the approval of the legisla-

ture—might make that office too strong.

Since becoming president in 1999, Vlad-

imir Putin has strengthened presidential

powers. When people began to criticize

government policies, Putin shut down all

independent television news networks.

Newspapers still remain free, but televi-

sion news in Russia is subject to govern-

ment control.

Russia is a federal republic. Power is

shared among national, regional, and local

governments. To ensure that regional lead-

ers would obey his wishes, Putin organ-

ized the country into seven large districts

and appointed governors who would sup-

port his policies.

Throughout Russian government, many

politicians disregard democratic ways. The

courts and the legal system often favor rich,

powerful citizens. In addition, many Rus-

sians still understand little about their gov-

ernment and, therefore, do not know how

to make changes in the way it works.

Freedom in Russia

Russians gather in central Moscow to watch a televised news conference given by Russian President Vladimir Putin. Regions How has Putin responded to criticisms of his rule?

•

LakeBaikal

BarentsSea

BeringSea

Sea ofOkhotsk

Sea ofJapan

(East Sea)

Baltic Sea

Casp

ian

Sea

BlackSea

ARCTIC OCEAN

EUROPE

ASIA

60°N

40°N

60°N

160°E

180°

140°E

120°E80°E

60°E

40°E

20°E

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NORTH POLE

PRIME MERIDIAN

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St. Petersburg

Rostov-na-Donu

NizhnyNovgorod

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SOUTHERN

NORTHWEST

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FAR EASTERN

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$315

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1,000 miles

1,000 kilometers

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N

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Monthly per capita income in U.S. dollars,May 2005 National capital City

1 Place How does the per capita income in the central region compare to incomes in the south-ern region?

2 Regions Why do you think the Urals and far eastern regions have higher per capita incomes?

Shifting to a Market EconomyRussia’s shift to a free market economy

has brought many positive changes. New

companies have been started, and some

personal incomes have risen. Higher prices

for Russia’s oil and natural gas exports

have brought the country more income.

Economic success, however, has brought

an increase in crime and business corrup-

tion. A small group of people, often referred

to as oligarchs, control various parts of

the economy. An oligarch (AH∙luh∙gahrk)

is a member of a small group of rulers that

holds great power. In Russia, oligarchs

are often corrupt business leaders. Putin

has limited the power of some of these

oligarchs, but to do so, he has had to

strengthen government authority.

Another problem is that the benefits

of economic change have not reached all

of Russia’s people. A few Russians have

grown wealthy, but some have become

even poorer. There are also strong regional

differences in economic success. Figure 1shows the average income per capita—or

per person—in Russia’s seven districts.

Russia’s Per Capita Income Figure 1

See StudentWorks™ Plus or glencoe.com.

Khasan Kaziyev/AFP/Getty Images

Chapter 15 • 421

Monthly incomes in Moscow are much

higher compared to other cities and areas

of the country.

Russia’s banking system also has not

been able to fully contribute to economic

growth. Banks play a vital role in an econ-

omy by collecting people’s deposits and

lending some of that money to other peo-

ple. These people borrow the money to buy

houses and cars or to start new businesses.

All of these actions help create jobs within

a region’s economy. Greater savings means

there is more money to loan, which in turn

helps strengthen the economy. If people

do not have enough money to deposit into

savings, though, banks have fewer funds

to lend and the economy suffers.

Many Russians, however, do not trust

the country’s banks. To encourage people

to save their money, the government cre-

ated a deposit insurance system, which

will repay people who deposit their money

in a bank if the bank goes out of business.

Officials hope this system will make peo-

ple feel safer and more willing to use the

banking system.

Challenges to National UnityWhile dealing with economic issues,

Russians have had to face challenges to

their country’s political unity. Regional

rivalries have increased in recent years.

Such resentments have made it difficult to

unify, or bring together, the country. An

even larger challenge is the desire of many

ethnic groups to form their own indepen-

dent countries.

When the Soviet Union fell, sev-

eral ethnic groups in Russia saw a

chance for independence. They launched

separatist movements, campaigns to break

away from the national government and

form independent countries. One of the

most violent separatist movements began

in Chechnya, a Muslim region near the

Caucasus Mountains in southern Russia.

In the early 1990s, Russia’s President

Boris Yeltsin gave Chechnya more self-

rule, but many Chechens (CHEH∙chehnz)

wanted complete independence from Rus-

sia. Yeltsin did not want to allow Chechen

separatists to succeed, believing that other

regions would also demand independence.

In 1994 he sent a large Russian army into

Chechnya to crush Chechen forces. Both

sides suffered heavy losses.

The Chechen separatists continued

to conduct, or carry out, terrorist attacks

against the Russian government. Truces

and agreements between the two sides

have failed, and the situation remains

unresolved.

Describing Identify and

describe a major challenge to Russian unity.

Conflict in Chechnya

Chechens buy watermelons as Russian soldiers guard a shopping area in Grozny, Chechnya’s capital. Place Why did conflict break out in Chechnya?

•

422 • Chapter 15

Russia and the World

Main Idea Main Idea Although Russia remains a world power, other nations have ques-tioned some of its actions.

Geography and You How do good relations among

neighbors build a stronger community? Read to learn

about Russia’s relations with the rest of the world.

As a major world power, Russia plays

an important role in world affairs. In

recent years, it has worked to strengthen

ties with other countries. Russia sees the

war in Chechnya, for example, as a strug-

gle against terrorism. As a result, it agreed

in 2002 to support the United States

and other NATO (North Atlantic Treaty

Organization) countries in fighting global

terrorist activities.

Still, the United States and other coun-

tries are concerned about President

Vladimir Putin’s growing power and his

declining support for democracy. Mean-

while, Russia has uneasy relations with

some of the countries that were once part

of the Soviet Union. Some Russian leaders

have said they would like to see Russian

influence increase, which worries people

in these former Soviet countries. In 2004

Putin supported a pro-Russian candidate

in Ukraine’s presidential election—a posi-

tion many Ukrainians protested. While

other neighboring countries are sometimes

unhappy with Russia’s actions, they also

know they depend on Russia for certain

resources, such as oil and natural gas.

Analyzing Information

Why has Russia supported the global war

against terrorism?

Vocabulary1. Explain the meaning of the following terms

by using each in a sentence.

a. decree c. deposit insurance

b. oligarch d. separatist movement

Main Ideas2. Identifying Use a diagram like the one

below to identify challenges to the growth of

democracy in Russia.

3. Explaining Why are some of Russia’s neigh-

bors concerned with recent Russian actions?

Critical Thinking4. Identifying Cause and Effect How has the

rapid change to a democratic government

affected the Russian people’s involvement in

government? What drawback has this swift

change created?

5. What factors create challenges to

Russian unity?

6. Challenge Describe the influence of banking

on a country’s economy.

Writing About Geography7. Using Your Use your Foldable to

write a paragraph predicting how successful

Russia’s change to a democracy and free mar-

ket economy will be. Be sure to support your

prediction with facts.

Section ReviewSocial Studies ONLINEStudy Central™ To review this section, go to glencoe.com.

Challenges to Democracy

Study anywhere, anytime! Download quizzes and

flash cards to your PDA from glencoe.com.

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Chapter 15 • 423

Visual SummaryVisual Summary Communism

to Democracy● After communism’s fall, Russia

became more democratic.

● Russia is a federal republic, with

power divided among national,

regional, and local governments.

● Russia has been moving from a

command economy to a market

economy.

Changes in Society

● Russians now can vote freely and

have increased contact

with the cultures of

other countries.

● The switch to a

market economy

has benefited some

Russians while

bringing hardships to

others.

● Low birthrates and

rising death rates have

led to a decline in

Russia’s population.

Economic Regions

● Moscow, with its many industries,

is the economic center of Russia.

● Ports in the St. Petersburg and

Baltic region carry on trade

between Russia and other

countries.

● The Volga and Urals region is a

center of manufacturing, mining,

and farming.

● Siberia’s resources are difficult

to tap because of the area’s

remoteness and harsh climate.

Challenges ● The increasing power of Russia’s

president has placed limits on

democracy.

● Crime and business corruption

have grown in Russia.

● Some ethnic groups want to

separate from Russia and form

their own countries.

Russia and the World

● Russian leaders have worked

to strengthen Russia’s ties with

the West.

● Russia has uneasy relations with

some of the countries that were

once part of the Soviet Union.

Young Russians playing chess

Russia’s duma, or parliament, in session

Cargo ship on Volga River

Vladimir Putin (right) meets with a South African leader

424 • Chapter 15

CHAPTER 15

Reviewing VocabularyDirections: Choose the word(s) that best completes the sentence.

1. In order to create a market economy, the Russian government legalized .

A underemployment

B privatization

C heavy industry

D light industry

2. Due to changes in Russia’s new economy, many people are , which means they have to take jobs requiring lesser skills than they have.

A unemployed

B privatized

C underemployed

D invested

3. A(n) is a member of a small ruling group that controls great power.

A decree

B pensioner

C separatist

D oligarch

4. When the Soviet Union fell, several ethnic groups in Russia launched .

A separatist movements

B privatization efforts

C light industries

D oligarchies

5. A Russian president may issue , or rulings that have the force of law and do not need the approval of the legislature.

A vetos

B decrees

C opinions

D considerations

Reviewing Main IdeasDirections: Choose the best answer for each question.

Section 1 (pp. 408–412)

6. A new market economy took root in Russia after

A World War II.

B the fall of communism.

C separatist movements.

D a middle class emerged.

7. After the fall of communism, there was a manu-facturing shift toward more

A heavy industry.

B oligarchy.

C light industry.

D separatist movements.

Section 2 (pp. 418–422)

8. A problem that has accompanied Russia’s shift to a free market economy is

A starting up new companies.

B higher prices for gas and oil exports.

C the deposit insurance system.

D the rise of business oligarchs.

9. Other nations in the world have questioned some of Russia’s actions, including the

A growing power of the Russian president.

B establishment of free elections.

C creation of a market economy.

D creation of a deposit insurance program.

GO ON

STANDARDIZED TEST PRACTICE

TEST TAKING TIP

Do not pick an answer choice just because it sounds good. Sometimes a choice is meant to sound correct but is not. Read all of the answer choices very carefully before you select the best one.

Need Extra Help?

Chapter 15 • 425

If you missed question. . . 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Go to page. . . 409 410 420 421 419 409 411 420 422 420 420 419 419 420

Social Studies ONLINE

For additional test practice, use Self-Check Quizzes—

Chapter 15 at glencoe.com.

STOP

ASSESSMENT

Critical ThinkingDirections: Base your answers to questions 10 and 11 on the chart below. Choose the best answer for each question.

GNP Per Capita in U.S. Dollars

Year(s) Russia United States France Germany

1991 $3,470 $22,340 $20,460 $20,510

1992 2,820 23,830 22,300 23,360

1993 2,350 24,750 22,360 23,560

1994 2,650 25,860 23,470 25,580

1995 2,240 26,980 24,990 27,510

1996 2,410 28,020 26,270 28,870

1997 2,680 29,080 26,300 28,280

1998 2,260 29,240 24,210 26,570

1999 2,250 31,910 24,170 26,620

2000 1,660 34,100 24,090 25,120

2001 1,750 34,280 22,730 23,560

GNP per capita is the dollar value of a country’s final output of goods and services

in a year (its GNP), divided by its population. It reflects the average income of a

country’s citizens.

Source: http://world.britannica.com/analyst/chrono/table

10. What happened to Russia’s GNP per capita dur-ing the period shown?

A It jumped rapidly between 1999 and 2000.

B It rose gradually.

C It declined drastically.

D It grew following 1997.

11. Which nation’s GNP per capita increased the most between 1991 and 2001?

A United States

B Germany

C Russia

D France

Document-Based QuestionsDirections: Analyze the document and answer the short-answer questions that follow.

“Things Fall Apart–Russia After the Fall of Communism”

The break-up of the USSR and the failures of economic reform have hurt primarily the elderly and the chil-dren. In addition, the systems of social services, educa-tion, and health care also fell apart. The fabric of society changed with the disappearance of values and morals. Secrecy and [control] were quickly replaced by the power of money. . . . In the past there was a com-mon expression–”Without papers you are a bug, but with papers, you are a man”–which meant that you were constantly required to ask permission from a countless army of [government offi cials] . . . . Now you cannot expect to be treated with respect unless your pocket is full of a wad of “greens.” . . . It doesn’t matter if you earned this money by [illegal activities or] selling drugs . . . . Your social status will be much higher than that of an engineer, a professor, or a doctor.

—by Nikolai Zlobin World Aff airs, Winter, 1996

12. According to the writer, who has been most seri-ously affected by the “new” Russia after the fall of communism? Why?

13. How does the writer feel that Russian society has changed since the breakup of the USSR?

Extended Response14. Do you believe Russia’s transition to a market

economy has been good for the country or caused more harm than good? Write a short essay in which you choose one side of the argu-ment. Defend your position by using examples.