THE RISE OF RUSSIA
With information from Susan Pojers and Mrs. Hoff
Russia Today:
Soviet Union Compared to US
Russia’s Time Zones
Topography of Russia
Geographical Features:

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
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Steppe – large grassy, nearly treeless grassy plain,
rich farmland
Ural Mountains – considered divider between Asia
& Europe
Several large rivers, Vistula, Neman, & Dvina, flow
to the Baltic (north)
Dniester & Dnieper flow into Black Sea
Siberia
 Average temperatures of January
vary from 0 to -50°C, and in
July from 1 to 25°C
 A former “gulag”
Soviet prison camp.
 150,000,000 population.
Themes in Russian History
 Expansion by conquest.
Need for warm-water
ports.
 The necessity of a strong,
central government.
Early Russia
Slavs & Vikings:

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Slavs overrun by many other peoples – open plain
no natural barriers
Vikings invade from Scandinavia in A.D. 800’s –
originally as traders
Trading centers (cities) spring up along trade routes
Major cities were Novgorod (in the north), Kiev (in
the south)
Kievan Russia


Rus, lead by Rurik
capture Novgorod &
Kiev
Kiev became prosperous
because of location on
trade routes
Government


Each city ruled by a Prince
& council of Boyars
First Russian law code –
Pravda Russkaia
Religion

Vladimir I – Converts
to Eastern Orthodox
Christianity
Early Byzantine Influences:
Orthodox Christianity
Early Byzantine Influences:
Orthodox Christianity
Early Byzantine Influences:
Cyrillic Alphabet
Novgorod
Economy


Agriculture & trade most
important
Great forests north of Steppe
called the Taiga for lumber and
other natural resources.
Alexander Nevsky: 1220 - 1263
Battle on the Ice
(Neva River)
Against the
Swedes
Teutonic
Knight
The Mongols Invade Russia
Mrs. Hoff Invades Russia!
Mrs. Hoff Invades Russia!
Mrs. Hoff Invades Russia!
Mrs. Hoff Invades Russia!
Mrs. Hoff Invades Russia!
Issues for Russia Today:
Issues for Russia Today