Historical Events
Government Positions and Institutions
Political Ideologies
Current Issues
Mystery Column
100
This city in Ukraine suffered from a catastrophic nuclear accident in 1986 from which it has never recovered. The severity and impact of the accident developed even greater mistrust in Soviet authorities
What is Chernobyl
100
This lower body of the Federal Assembly of Russia was originally created by Czar Nicholas II under pressure from the Russian Revolution of 1905, although it never saw true legitimacy or power until it was reinstated in 1993. Its members are elected via proportional representation
What is (State) Duma
100
This political ideology is a governing system where elections are held, but civil liberties are limited and citizens are kept in the dark about governmental action
What is Illiberal Democracy
100
Relations and networks that often result in nepotism and corruption in the government
What is Clientelistic Networks
200
This agency, responsible for ensuring state security, was created by Vladimir Lenin in 1917. The KBG is a successor of this initial form of secret police in the Soviet Union.
What is Cheka
200
This agency, also known as the State Planning Committee was tasked with central economic planning for the Soviet Union
What is Gosplan
200
The Russian government faces problems as a transitional democracy because the lack of this among the citizens
What is Civil Society
200
The formerly independent political party that became joined the Unity party in in 2000
What is Our Home is Russia
300
This course of action was a key ritual in the Soviet Union up to the end of Stalin’s reign. Although mostly associated with Stalin’s rule, some of these occurred while the Bolsheviks were in power. The purpose, which was to rid the party of “undesirables,” was initially innocuous until Stalin changed the purpose
What is Purge(s)
300
This category of people included privileged citizens who, through a system of patronage to senior positions, held top-level administrative position in the Soviet Union
What is Nomenklatura
300
This political ideology is a principle used by Communist governments allowing debate over policy among part elites, but banning dissent after decisions are made
What is Democratic Centralism
300
A type of government structure originally introduced under Putin’s presidency as a representation of the centralized government
What is Power Vertical Structure
400
This event was an attempted overthrow of the state in 1991 by hardline Communist Party members. The attempt fell apart after two days, but it is widely recognized as a key signal to the demise of the Soviet Union
What is Coup against Gorbachev
400
This position in the Russian Federation entitles one to being the head of state, Supreme Commander-in-chief, and holder of the highest office in the government; however, this position is not the head of the executive branch
What is President
400
This political ideology is a theory of historical development that highlights the struggle between the bourgeoisie and proletariat
What is Marxism
400
Russia has a notoriously high amount of corruption within the government, making the people question this aspect of the government
What is Legitimacy
400
Vladimir Putin signed a law permitting himself to appoint these government members
What is Governors
500
This interim means of governance was propped up after the abdication of Czar Nicholas II was intended to organize elections and stabilize the Russian Republic. It was dissolved immediately after the October Revolution wherein the Bolsheviks gained supremacy
What is Provisional Government
500
This title was used to designate Slavic monarchs, supreme rulers, and emperors. The title held validity in Russia until the year 1917
What is Tsar (Czar)
500
The collection of groups running organized crimes which originated in Russia
What is Mafia
500
Won the first presidential election of Russia, and played an important role in the collapse of the Soviet Union
Who is Boris Yelstin
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