Unit 5 – Chapter 16

1. Unit 5 – Chapter 16 Russia Today

2. I. Section I Living in Russia

3. 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

4. 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

5. B. Agriculture & Industry • Agriculture • Kolkhozes vs. Sovkhozes – know the difference!

6. Industry • #1 – Petroleum extraction & processing • Crude Oil • Iron Ore, Manganese, Nickel • Manufacturing • Steel • Heavy Machinery • Ag Equipment Volga Coupe Belarus Tractor

7. 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

8. Transporting Energy • Pipelines • Natural Gas & Oil • Mass Communications • Soviet Union – controlled all of this! • Now – private ownership has grown

9. 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

10. II. Section II People & Their Environment Moscow

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

14. B. Pollution (cont) Chernobyl plant explosion site

15. Relations with the US • How has our relationship changed since the Cold War ended? • How has Putin led his country?

16.  ”Dasvidania” • Pronounced: Da-svi-da-niya • Good-Bye