New Nation- States from the Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?

New Nation-States from

the Old Soviet Empire

Will They Succeed?

• “Iron Felix” Dzerzhinsky• Russian Revolution of 1917• destroyed the czarist empire• created a new state called the Union of Soviet

Socialist Republics, or Soviet Union, in 1922• statue of Dzerzhinsky in a Moscow square

reminded people that the police were always watching

Terms• Nationalism – feelings of loyalty and pride toward

one’s nation or ethnic group. Sometimes includes the belief that one’s nation is better than others.

• Nation – a large group of people who share a common history and culture. Not all nations have their own government or control territory.

• State – a political unit that controls a particular territory.

• Nation-state – an independent state, or country, whose people mostly share a common identity.

The Geographic Setting

• 2 ½ times the size of the US

• 3rd largest population

• USSR- Superpower from 1945-1990

• Collapsed in 1991 = largest failed state

Features of Successful Nation-

States1. Security2. Political freedom3. Economic growth

4. Quality of life5. National unity

Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant


• Arid• Some agriculture & Pastoral• Greatest resource = minerals

– OIL!


• Ethnic Conflicts Create a Split– Kazakhs (Muslims) ½ Population live in the

southern countryside– Russians (Christians) 1/3 Population live in the

north where the Soviets developed heavy industry


• Serious environmental problems– Pesticides in water supply– Toxic waste– Nuclear testing backlash

• Looking ahead– Resource use to promote economic growth– Solving environmental problems– Calming ethnic conflict

Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia


• Rich in Oil– #1 export– Capital Baku finest harbor in Caspian Sea– Soviets sent oil to Russia– Works with foreign oil companies to open to new

markets


• Ethnic Warfare clouds the future– Azeris (Muslim)= 90% population– Armenian (Christian) = 2% population– Nagorno-Karabakh region has Armenian’s who

want independence.– 1992 war, cease fire 1994; tensions still high

Belarus: Between Europe and Russia

Russia


• Landlocked• 11,000 lakes• Past – agriculture and logging

– Today 1/5 destroyed by Chernobyl


• Strong Russian Influence– 81% Belarusian– 11% Russian– Developed during Soviet

rule– Russia biggest trading

partner– Disagree about labor, trade

and government control

Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic

States


States• Rich soil = good crops• Baltic sea = good fishing• Limited mineral wealth


States• 1st to declare independence from Russia 1990• European models for democratic government• 2004 member of EU• Also member of NATO

Lithuanians vote in female president

Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth


• Vast forests and mineral wealth (coal, oil and natural gas)

• Too cold to farm


• Soviet government owned everything (sold to powerful political leaders)

• Business private, but not run well• Economy still growing


• Challenges– High crime rate, housing costly, alcohol abuse

rising and pollution a major concern– Ethnic nationalism and religious divisions

• Russian Orthodox Church majority• Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Christians minority

15 Nation States• Estonia• Latvia• Lithuania• Belarus• Ukraine• Moldova• Georgia• Armenia

• Azerbaijan• Turkmenistan• Uzbekistan• Kyrgyzstan• Tajikistan• Kazakhstan• Russia

Documents

New Nation- States from the Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?