Chapter 10 Lesson 4
Russia ~ A Huge Country Takes a New Path
I. Emerging Capitalism
1. When the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991, the new Russian Federation had to find a new identity for itself.
2. The nation had no experience of democracy, or any laws that supported it.
3. The nation struggled to make its transition from communism to a free-market economy.
A. Moscow, Russia’s Capital
1. _________________ is the capital of Russia and the center of its economic activities.
2. When the Soviet Union first collapsed, business in Moscow boomed.
3. Investors came from many different countries to make money in Moscow.
a. Examples of these businesses include Mc Donald’s and Ikea.
B. Widespread Corruption
1. Russians still face challenges in their daily lives.
2. Salaries are still low for Russian workers.
3. Corruption is a problem in Russia.
a. Criminal gangs exist.
b. Laws to protect people are not enforced.
C. Economic and Health Problems
1. In the 1990’s, large numbers of Russians lost their life savings when banks failed and inflation rose to high levels.
2. ________________________ is an increase in the general level of prices at a time when the amount of goods and services remains the same.
3. Russians have major concerns about health care.
a. Hospitals contain outdated equipment.
b. Ordinary Russians cannot afford health care.
D. Changes in Siberia
1. ______________________ is a region with rich reserves of coal, gold, iron, oil, and natural gas.
2. Although much of Siberia is rural, large cities developed there over time.
3. Outside of the cities, much of Siberia is agricultural.
4. Under the Soviet communist system, factory workers and miners were guaranteed jobs and farmers were guaranteed certain prices for their crops.
5. Now Siberians worry about losing their jobs or their farms.
II. Cultural Traditions Continue
A. Life in Moscow
1. ________________________ is still the cultural center of the nation.
2. ________________ _______________ is a ballet company based in Moscow.
3. On Moscow’s streets vendors sell traditional Russian crafts.
4. Russians celebrate old traditions such as picnicking in the snow.
B. Life in Rural Siberian Villages
1. Much of Siberia’s vast expanse is ________________.
2. Few people live in these rural areas.
3. Many homes have no running water.
4. Russians have adapted to life in their frigid climate.
III. Uniting a Vast Nation
1. The majority of people in Russia are ethnic Russians.
2. The nation also includes many different ethnic groups who speak different languages and practice different religions.
A. War in Chechnya
1. _______________________ is an oil-rich republic located in southwestern Russia.
2. People in this republic practice the _____________ religion.
3. In ________________, Chechnya declared its independence from Russia.
4. To prevent the republic from seceding, Russia sent troops into the Chechen capital.
5. For several years during the 1990’s, Russian and Chechen troops fought bitterly over the status of the republic.
6. Many were killed.
7. Today, Chechnya remains part of Russia and conflict still exists.
B. Economic Problems Remain
1. Serious economic problems remain in Russia.
2. Russia’s abundant natural resources present problems.
3. Russia has huge deposits of oil, natural gas, and metals.
4. But Russia depends too heavily on sales of these materials, rather than creating new jobs.
5. Corruption is still a problem in Russia.
a. Laws are not enforced.
b. Banks have not fully recovered from the failures in the 1990’s.
c. Many Russians distrust the government.