Definitions
Powerful economic leaders whose fortunes rose during the 1990's in Russia.
A coup led against this Russian leader - which failed - led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Boris Yeltsin becoming president of an independent Russia.
Who is Mikhail Gorbachev?
This region of Russia is flat, uninhabited and bitterly cold. Many of the people who have settled here - before and after 1917 - were political prisoners sent into exile.
What is Siberia?
What is 1936-1938?
Stalin's power was consolidated through terror - where anyone suspected of being a threat to Stalin was executed or exiled - and a ___________, which portrayed Stalin as godlike, incapable of error, and infinitely wise.
What is cult of personality?
This is a Russian word for emperor.
What is czar (or tsar)?
This Russian leader ruled from 1547-1584 and came to power in the decades following Russia's final independence from the Mongolians. This leader consolidated Russian power in Moscow instead of Kiev.
Who is Ivan the Terrible?
This group is credited with founding the first Russian state.
Who are the Vikings? Other acceptable answers are Scandinavians or Rus.
This year is when Russia first attacks Ukraine and annexes Crimea.
What is 2014?
Russia is a _____________ state, where power is theoretically shared between the national government and regional government.
What is a federalist state?
This term refers to the lower house of the Russian legislature.
What is the Duma?
This person served as the prime minister of Russia from 2008-2012. He has also served as president of Russia from 2000-2008 and 2012-2022.
Who is Vladimir Putin?
During these years, Russia has a war with the breakaway republic of Chechnya and has a cease-fire. Three years later after this war ends, Russia reinvades Chechnya and pummels it to control.
What is 1994-1996?
Russia fought this country - and lost embarrassingly to it - in 1904.
What is Japan?
This is the term to describe the successor of the Cheka. It was the Soviet secret police agency charged with domestic and foreign intelligence.
What is KGB?
This person served as president of Russia from 2008-2012.
Who is Dimitry Medvedev?
This is the name of the religion in Russia that was adopted early in Russia's history.
What is Orthodox Christianity?
This year is when the Edict of Emancipation ends serfdom in Russia.
What is 1861?
Religion shaping political culture to influence how Russians viewed the relationship between the individual and the state, historical catastrophes as Mongol rule stunting economic growth and separating Russia from European developments, and political leadership solidifying authoritarian institutions are three reasons that help explain this concept.
What is the reason why Russia grew state power and stifled democratic institutions?
This term refers to "men of power" who have their origins in the security agencies and are close to President Putin.
What is siloviki?
This person has served as prime minister of Russia since 2020.
Who is Mikhail Mishustin?
The invasion of Russia from this group led to Russia being cut off from the west for 2 centuries, which some scholars claim is the reason for why Russia was separate from the West and possibly became despotic and isolated.
Who are the Mongols?
These years are when Russia experiences a civil war between the Red Army and the White Russians.
What is 1918-1920?
This term referred to the ruling cabinet of the Communist Party.
What is the Politburo?