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Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

Chapter 17

Geography

Russia and the Republics

Today’s Issues:

The collapse of the powerful Soviet government has left many of its former republics facing difficult ethnic, economic, and environmental challenges.


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Chapter 17

Geography

Regional Conflict

The Struggle for Economic ReformSECTION 2

SECTION 1

Russia and the Republics

Today’s Issues:

Case Study The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy


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Chapter 17

Geography

Regional Conflict Section-1

• Regional tensions, once under Soviet control, have flared up in Russia and the Republics.

• Some of the most violent conflicts have occurred in the Caucasus region.


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Chapter 17

Geography

Section-1 Regional Conflict

A Troubled Caucasus

Land of Great Complexity •Collapse of Soviet government weakens central authority in Republics

− crime and religious or ethnic conflict increase • Caucasus—area of Caucasus Mountains between Black, Caspian seas

− north: Russian republics Chechnya, Dagestan, Ingushetia, North Ossetia − south: independent countries Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia

•California-size area is home to dozens of languages, 50 ethnic groups •Groups fight violently for independent territories after USSR falls

Continued…


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Chapter 17

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A Troubled Caucasus {continued}

Chechnya • Chechnya republic remains part of Russia after USSR collapse • Russia invades twice in 1990s to block Chechnyan independence

− invades in 1994 and soon controls 2/3 of country, capital of Grozny − rebels fight from mountain hideouts, force 1996 peace agreement − bombings in Moscow lead Russia to invade again in 1999

Continued…


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Georgia• Georgia’s Ossetian people fight the Georgian army in early 1990s

− seek to unite South Ossetia (Georgia) with North Ossetia (Russia)• Abkhazia region of Georgia declares independence in 1992

− rebels force Georgian population (250,000) to leave − Georgian troops driven out, but region still in ruins

Continued…


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Geography


Armenia and Azerbaijan • South of Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan fight over territory

− Armenia wants Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous area in Azerbaijan− region is 3/4 ethnic Armenian

• Dispute rages in early 1920s, but kept under control by Soviets − fighting resumed in late 1980s until 1994 cease-fire − by then tens of thousands dead, nearly a million refugees


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Chapter 17

Geography

Hope on the Horizon?

Can the Conflicts be Stopped? • U.S. hosts Armenia-Azerbaijan peace talks in 2001 • Chechnyan fighting causes high casualties for Russians, Chechnyans

− once-high public support for war is declining− economic cost of war is a burden


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Geography

The Struggle for Economic Reform Section-2

• Russia has struggled to move from a command economy to a market economy.

• Russia’s enormous size and widespread criminal activity have made economic reform difficult.


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Chapter 17

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2

Steps Toward Capitalism

Privatization

The Struggle for Economic Reform Section-2

• After Soviet collapse Russia embraces capitalism− removes price controls in 1992; prices of goods increase 250%

• Also in 1992, Russia begins process of privatization− sells government-owned businesses to private individuals, companies

• Public buy businesses with vouchers to be repaid with future profits− business failures, unpaid vouchers lead to 1998 economic crash

• Still, by 2000, 60% of workforce employed in private sector

Continued…


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Steps Toward Capitalism {continued}

The High Cost of Economic Change • Since the 1998 crash, Russia’s economy has slowly recovered • In spite of this, 40% of Russians still far below poverty line • Some wonder if things had maybe been better under Soviets


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Distance Decay

Obstacles to Economic Reform

• Distance decay—long-distance communication, transportation are hard − Russia spans 11 time zones, has 89 regional governments − central government in Moscow is weak − difficult to get distant officials to enforce national reform programs

• President Vladimir Putin creates 7 large federal districts in 2000 − governor-generals will force regional officials to follow reform

orders

Continued…


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• Rising tax, customs revenues could lead to higher living standards

Organized Crime

Obstacles to Economic Reform {continued}

• “Russian mafia” criminal organizations grow rapidly in 1990s− control 40% of private companies, 60% of state-owned companies− mafia creates own economy, expands outside of Russia

• Organized crime slows economic reform by rewarding illegal activity− government cannot tax such activity

Future Prospects


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The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy Case Study

The Soviet Union’s Nuclear Legacy

BACKGROUND• The former Soviet Union’s nuclear programs have become a problem • poorly constructed nuclear power stations are not being maintained nuclear waste

dumps are decaying • These issues pose a threat to the region’s people and environment


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Case Study

An Unwelcome Legacy

Nuclear Uncertainties • Break up of USSR leaves fate of Soviet nuclear weapons unclear

− instead of 1 country with weapons, there are 15 independent republics− Where are the weapons? Are they safe? Where are the nuclear scientists?

• Also facing problems with aging, poorly built nuclear reactors− many are same design as one at 1986 Chernobyl disaster


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Continued…

Case Study

The Consequences of Collapse

Political Tensions • Nuclear issues create tension between regions, other nations, U.S. • U.S. task force in 2000 highlights nuclear security threat

− fears grow that Russian nuclear materials could be stolen, misused

− recommends $30 billion package to help keep weapons safe


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Continued…

Case Study

Economic Health

The Consequences of Collapse {continued}

• Many regional leaders reluctant to shut down Soviet nuclear reactors − it would be too expensive to build new non-nuclear plants

• Some republics’ steps to revive their economies are questionable − in 2001, Russia’s Duma (legislature) approved nuclear dump plan − hope to earn $21 billion by storing other countries’ nuclear waste − Russian environmentalists are upset over the plan


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Case Study

Environmental Prospects

The Consequences of Collapse {continued}

• Some hope that region’s environmental outlook can improve • In 2000, Ukraine shut down last active Chernobyl reactor

− hope to build protective dome for disaster site • In 2000, a U.S.-funded treatment plant opened near the White Sea

− facility treats radioactive waste from• Russian nuclear submarines

− submarine nuclear waste formerly dumped in the sea


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Chapter 17

Geography

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