Today’s Issues:

Russia and the Republics

The collapse of the powerful Soviet government has left many of its former republics facing difficult ethnic, economic, and environmental challenges.

Russian troops patrol the Chechen capital of Grozny (1996).

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SECTION 1 Regional Conflict

SECTION 2 The Struggle for Economic Reform

Today’s Issues:

Russia and the Republics

Case Study The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

Unit Map: Physical Unit Map: PoliticalUnit Atlas: Physical

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Unit Atlas: Political

Section 1

Regional Conflict • Regional tensions, once under Soviet

control, have flared up in Russia and the Republics.

• Some of the most violent conflicts have occurred in the Caucasus region.

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A Troubled Caucasus

Land of Great Complexity • Collapse of Soviet government weakens central

authority in Republics- crime and religious or ethnic conflict increase

• Caucasus—area of Caucasus Mountains between Black, Caspian seas- north: Russian republics Chechnya, Dagestan,

Ingushetia, North Ossetia- south: independent countries Armenia,

Azerbaijan, Georgia • California-size area is home to dozens of

languages, 50 ethnic groups • Groups fight violently for independent territories

after USSR falls

SECTION

1 Regional Conflict

Continued . . .NEXT

Interactive

SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Chechnya • Chechnya republic remains part of Russia after

USSR collapse • Russia invades twice in 1990s to block Chechnyan

independence- invades in 1994 and soon controls 2/3 of country,

capital of Grozny- rebels fight from mountain hideouts, force 1996

peace agreement- bombings in Moscow lead Russia to invade again

in 1999

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Continued . . .

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SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Georgia • Georgia’s Ossetian people fight the Georgian army

in early 1990s- seek to unite South Ossetia (Georgia) with North

Ossetia (Russia)• Abkhazia region of Georgia declares independence

in 1992- rebels force Georgian population (250,000) to

leave- Georgian troops driven out, but region still in

ruins

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Continued . . .

SECTION

1

continued A Troubled Caucasus

Armenia and Azerbaijan • South of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan fight

over territory- Armenia wants Nagorno-Karabakh, a

mountainous area in Azerbaijan- region is 3/4 ethnic Armenian

• Dispute rages in early 1920s, but kept under control by Soviets- fighting resumed in late 1980s until 1994

cease-fire- by then tens of thousands dead, nearly a

millionrefugees

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Hope on the Horizon?

Can the Conflicts be Stopped? • U.S. hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks in 2001 • Chechnyan fighting causes high casualties for

Russians, Chechnyans- once-high public support for war is declining- economic cost of war is a burden

SECTION

1

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Section 2

The Struggle for Economic Reform • Russia has struggled to move from a

command economy to a market economy.

• Russia’s enormous size and widespread criminal activity have made economic reform difficult.

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Steps Toward Capitalism

Privatization • After Soviet collapse Russia embraces capitalism

- removes price controls in 1992; prices of goodsincrease 250%

• Also in 1992, Russia begins process of privatization- sells government-owned businesses to private

individuals, companies • Public buy businesses with vouchers to be repaid

with future profits- business failures, unpaid vouchers lead to 1998

economic crash • Still, by 2000, 60% of workforce employed in private

sector

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2

Continued . . .

The Struggle for Economic Reform

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SECTION

2

continued Steps Toward Capitalism

The High Cost of Economic Change • Since the 1998 crash, Russia’s economy has slowly

recovered • In spite of this, 40% of Russians still far below

poverty line • Some wonder if things had maybe been better

under Soviets

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Obstacles to Economic Reform

Distance Decay • Distance decay—long-distance communication,

transportation are hard- Russia spans 11 time zones, has 89 regional

governments- central government in Moscow is weak- difficult to get distant officials to enforce national

reform programs • President Vladimir Putin creates 7 large federal

districts in 2000- governor-generals will force regional officials to

follow reform orders

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2

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Continued . . .

Map

SECTION

2

continued Obstacles to Economic Reform

Organized Crime • “Russian mafia” criminal organizations grow rapidly

in 1990s- control 40% of private companies, 60% of state-

owned companies- mafia creates own economy, expands outside of

Russia• Organized crime slows economic reform by

rewarding illegal activity- government cannot tax such activity

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Future Prospects • Rising tax, customs revenues could lead to higher

living standards

Case Study

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

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BACKGROUND • The former Soviet Union’s nuclear programs have

become a problem • poorly constructed nuclear power stations are not

being maintained • nuclear waste dumps are decaying • These issues pose a threat to the region’s people

and environment

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

Case Study

An Unwelcome Legacy

Nuclear Uncertainties • Break up of USSR leaves fate of Soviet

nuclear weapons unclear- instead of 1 country with weapons, there

are 15 independent republics- Where are the weapons? Are they safe?

Where are the nuclear scientists? • Also facing problems with aging, poorly built

nuclear reactors- many are same design as one at 1986

Chernobyl disaster

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Image

Map

Case Study

The Consequences of Collapse

Political Tensions • Nuclear issues create tension between

regions, other nations, U.S. • U.S. task force in 2000 highlights nuclear

security threat- fears grow that Russian nuclear materials

could be stolen, misused- recommends $30 billion package to help

keep weapons safe

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Continued . . .

Case Study

Economic Health • Many regional leaders reluctant to shut down

Soviet nuclear reactors- it would be too expensive to build new non-

nuclear plants • Some republics’ steps to revive their

economies are questionable- in 2001, Russia’s Duma (legislature) approved nuclear dump plan- hope to earn $21 billion by storing other

countries’ nuclear waste- Russian environmentalists are upset over

the plan NEXT

continued The Consequences of Collapse

Continued . . .

Case Study

Environmental Prospects • Some hope that region’s environmental

outlook can improve • In 2000, Ukraine shut down last active

Chernobyl reactor- hope to build protective dome for disaster

site • In 2000, a U.S.-funded treatment plant

opened near the White Sea- facility treats radioactive waste from

Russian nuclear submarines- submarine nuclear waste formerly dumped

in the sea NEXT

continued The Consequences of Collapse

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