New Nation-States from the Old Soviet Empire

1. New Nation-States fromthe Old Soviet Empire Will They Succeed?

2. “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

4. 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.

5. 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

6. Security Political freedom Economic growth Quality of life National unity Features of Successful Nation-States

7. Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant

8. Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant • Arid • Some agriculture & Pastoral • Greatest resource = minerals • OIL!

9. Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant • 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

10. Kazakhstan: A Central Asian Giant • 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

11. Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia

12. 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

13. Azerbaijan: Where Europe Meets Asia • 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

14. Belarus: Between Europe and Russia Russia

15. Belarus: Between Europe and Russia • Landlocked • 11,000 lakes • Past – agriculture and logging • Today 1/5 destroyed by Chernobyl

16. Belarus: Between Europe and Russia • Strong Russian Influence • 81% Belarusian • 11% Russian • Developed during Soviet rule • Russia biggest trading partner • Disagree about labor, trade and government control

17. Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States

18. Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic States • Rich soil = good crops • Baltic sea = good fishing • Limited mineral wealth

19. Lithuania: One of the Three Baltic 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

20. Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth

21. Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth • Vast forests and mineral wealth (coal, oil and natural gas) • Too cold to farm

22. Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth • Soviet government owned everything (sold to powerful political leaders) • Business private, but not run well • Economy still growing

23. Russia: The Largest Nation on Earth • 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

24. Estonia Latvia Lithuania Belarus Ukraine Moldova Georgia Armenia Azerbaijan Turkmenistan Uzbekistan Kyrgyzstan Tajikistan Kazakhstan Russia 15 Nation States