Unit 5 – Chapter 16

Russia Today

I. Section I

Living in Russia

A. Changing Economies

The Soviet Command Economy Government owned everything!

Banks, factories, mines, transportation, farms Soviet government emphasized heavy industry so they could become a

world super power This caused little production of consumer goods

This made it very difficult for the citizens to have the basic things they needed to survive! People resorted to purchasing things on the black market – illegal trade system

– very high prices

Market Economy Gorbachev tried to move towards a new economy Privately owned businesses

Privatization This occurred more after the fall of the Soviet Union Unfortunately, many Russians did not reinvest their money in Russia, they

chose to do so in other countries Transition Continues

Moscow Growth

B. Agriculture & Industry Agriculture

Kolkhozes vs. Sovkhozes – know the difference!

Industry #1 – Petroleum extraction

& processing Crude Oil Iron Ore, Manganese,

Nickel Manufacturing

Steel Heavy Machinery Ag Equipment

Volga Coupe

Belarus Tractor

C. Transportation & Communications

Transporting Goods Roads aren’t good – especially in Siberia Depend mostly on railroads & waterways for transportation

Transporting People Railroads are most common Many people do not own cars

Use public transportation Use airlines

Very expensive

Transporting Energy Pipelines

Natural Gas & Oil Mass Communications

Soviet Union – controlled all of this! Now – private ownership has grown

D. Global Interdependence Trade

Has developed partnerships with other countries for trade

Became a member of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) in 1998

International Relations Growing Poorly funded military Getting loans from other

countries

II. Section II

People & Their Environment

Moscow

A. Managing Resources

Using natural resources to help strengthen their economy

Has inherited a legacy of horrible environmental problems During Soviet rule, the government only cared

about power and not damage they were causing to the land Russia must now use their natural resources without

causing similar damage Must also repair the damage already done

B. Pollution

Water Quality One of the world’s largest supplies of freshwater

Much of it is very polluted Volga River Lake Baikal – oldest & deepest lake in the world

Polluted by neighboring paper factory

Soil & Air Quality Soil poisoned with waste and pesticides During the 1990s, experts believe that only 15%

of Russia’s urban population had acceptable air quality

B. Pollution (cont)

Nuclear Wastes Between 1949-1987, the Soviet Union set off more than 600 nuclear

explosions & stockpiled nuclear weapons The whole world is concerned with the fate of this issue Nuclear wastes are the by-products of nuclear power

Can remain radioactive for thousands of years (cause cancer – for example) Chernobyl

During the Cold War, nuclear power generated much of the power in the Soviet Union

In 1986, a fire in a nuclear reactor in the town of Chernobyl (Ukraine) released several tons of radioactive particles into the environment Over 8,000 people have died so far Millions more are continuing to suffer In Russia alone, over 19,300 sq. miles contaminated

Over 30 million people used to live there! After Chernobyl, there has been much international pressure to close these

type of plants

B. Pollution (cont)

Chernobyl plant explosion site

Relations with the US

How has our relationship changed since the Cold War ended?

How has Putin led his country?

 ”Dasvidania”

Pronounced: Da-svi-da-niya

Good-Bye