(unit 4) Northern Eurasia Flashcards
What regions are included in the history of Northern Eurasia?
Spans from the Baltic region on the west, to the Arctic Ocean on the north, to the Pacific Ocean in the east. Includes Russia, Caucasus (Armenia, Georgia, Azerbaijan), and Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan).
What significant event occurred in the 300s in the Caucasus?
Romans introduced Christianity to the Caucasus, with Armenia being the first to adopt Christianity.
What was the Silk Road?
A vast trade network that connected Southern Europe, the Middle East, Northern Eurasia, and China, lasting over 1,500 years.
What was the Kievan Rus?
A state formed by the merging of Vikings and East Slavs, with Kyiv as its capital.
What impact did the Mongols have on Russia in the 1200s?
Mongols began conquests under Genghis Khan, destroyed Russian cities, and revitalized trade, leading to the rise of Moscow.
What was the role of Tsars in Russian history?
Tsars were absolute monarchs ruling Russian communities, with the Romanov Dynasty lasting nearly 300 years.
What was the Bolshevik Revolution?
A revolution in 1917 led by Vladimir Lenin, resulting in the establishment of the Soviet Union.
Who was Joseph Stalin?
Leader of the USSR for nearly 25 years, known for rapid industrialization and authoritarian rule.
What was the Warsaw Pact?
A defense treaty formed by the Soviet Union and seven other Eastern Bloc nations in response to NATO, existing from 1955 to 1991.
What led to the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Political pressures, economic struggles, and rising independence movements led to its collapse in 1991.
What is the significance of Lake Baikal?
Oldest and deepest lake in the world, containing 1/5th of the Earth’s freshwater.
What are the major landforms in Russia?
Ural Mountains, Caucasus Mountains, and the Northern European Plain, rich in minerals and fertile soil.
What climate characterizes Siberia?
Extremely cold, classified as subarctic/tundra.
What was the impact of the Chernobyl disaster?
Released 400 times more nuclear particles than the bombs in Japan during WWII, leading to widespread radiation exposure.
Who is Vladimir Putin?
Became acting president on December 31, 1999, and has served multiple terms, moving Russia towards authoritarianism.
