Russian History: From Tsars to USSR

The system of government in Russia where some regions have more power and autonomy than others, meaning the regions are not equal.

The process by which promising Communist Party members were selected and promoted from lower ranks.

The process of taking land from peasants and creating state-run collective farms, eliminating private land ownership.

A period of economic reforms in the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev, aimed at transferring economic powers from the government to private hands and creating a market economy.

A policy of political openness introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev, which allowed for more open discussion of issues and criticism of the government.

The Russian Federation's Constitution, ratified after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, which establishes the basis for its government and legal system.

The creation of Congress of People’s Deputies and the selection of the President by the Congress, introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev as part of democratization.

A series of economic plans implemented in the Soviet Union focused on increasing production of heavy industry, such as oil, steel, and electricity.

A political system that combines elements of both democratic and authoritarian rule. The system includes free elections, but also limits on political freedoms and opposition.

The President of Russia has significant power over the country, including the ability to appoint the Prime Minister, dissolve the Duma, and declare a state of emergency

The Prime Minister of Russia is appointed by the President but must be confirmed by the Duma. They are responsible for overseeing the civil service and proposing legislation to parliament.

The Duma can remove the Prime Minister with a vote of no confidence. However, the President can only be removed through impeachment.

The country's lower house and representative body. The Duma passes legislation and confirms the Prime Minister.

The upper house of the Russian Parliament. The Federation Council approves budget legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployment.

The President can appoint and remove the Prime Minister. This means the President has a lot of power over the government.

The process of formally accusing and removing a high-ranking official from office. In Russia, it requires a 2/3 majority vote of the Duma.

The President can pass laws without going through the Duma. These have the force of law and are a way for the President to act quickly.

A consultative body that advises the President on national security matters. It's made up of top state officials and heads of defence and security agencies.

An advisory body to the President focusing on development of government institutions, economic and social reforms, and other public matters.

The United Russia party is a dominant political party in Russia, giving them significant power in government. Opposition candidates have limited ability to run for office because they lack access to media or the ability to get on the ballot.

The Russian government has been controlled by Vladimir Putin since 1999. He's strengthened the Presidency and has faced limited opposition.

The Russian government has become more authoritarian under Putin, limiting political freedoms and reducing competition.

The president has the ability to appoint the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and Regional Governors, giving them great control over the government.

Lower house of the Russian parliament, responsible for passing legislation, approving the budget, and confirming Presidential Cabinet appointments.

Upper house of the Russian parliament, representing regional governments and approving legislation, treaties, judicial nominees, and troop deployments.

The system in which the judicial branch is not independent from the executive or legislative branches, and its decisions can be influenced by political considerations. This means that the courts are not completely free to apply the law fairly and impartially.

The principle that everyone is subject to the same laws and that these laws are applied fairly and consistently. This means that everyone is equal before the law, and that there is no special treatment for anyone.

The practice of using laws to maintain control and power, often in an unfair or undemocratic way. This means that the laws are used to serve the interests of those in power, rather than to promote justice and fairness.

Corruption occurs when public officials abuse their power for personal gain, often through bribery, extortion, or embezzlement. This undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in government.

A political system where one party holds a dominant position and controls most of the power. Other parties may exist, but they have limited influence or are often controlled by the dominant party.

A political party in Russia that supports the creation of a more socialist government, advocating for collective ownership of resources. It is the second largest political party in Russia.

A political party in Russia that, despite its name, is neither liberal nor democratic. It supports the creation of a more authoritarian regime with limited freedom.

A political party in Russia that advocates for a socialist market economy with fair competition and opportunity for everyone.

A political party in Russia that supports socialism and the continuation of the welfare state. It was formed from a merger of smaller parties and is sometimes seen as an official opposition to United Russia.

Wealthy individuals believed to have significant influence over the Russian government and who have benefited from favorable treatment during the transition to a market economy.

Organised groups with a common interest that aim to influence government policies. They can use various methods to achieve their goals, such as lobbying, advocacy, and public awareness campaigns.

The sphere of non-governmental organizations, community groups, and independent institutions that exists alongside the government and plays a crucial role in democratic societies. It promotes civic participation, freedom of expression, and social activism.

In 2014, Russia annexed the Crimean Peninsula, a territory belonging to Ukraine. In response to this action, the United States and the European Union imposed economic sanctions on Russia. These sanctions were intended to put pressure on Russia to reverse its actions and adhere to international norms.

Following Russia's annexation of Crimea, NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, reinforced its military presence in Eastern Europe. Troops were deployed to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to deter further Russian aggression and reassure NATO allies in the region.

The United Nations (UN) is an international organization that promotes peace, security, and cooperation among its 193 member states. Russia is a member of the UN and participates in its various activities.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) and the World Bank are both international organizations that work to facilitate international trade and economic development. Russia is a member of both organizations, participating in their efforts to reduce trade barriers and promote global economic growth.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a financial institution that aims to promote global monetary cooperation, stabilize economies, and reduce poverty. Russia is a member of the IMF and can access its resources and expertise to address economic challenges.

Alexei Navalny, a prominent anti-corruption activist, was poisoned in 2020, an incident widely attributed to the Russian government. Following his return to Russia in 2021, he was arrested and imprisoned for his outspoken criticism of President Putin. This event sparked protests across Russia.

Pussy Riot, a Russian punk band, is known for its politically charged performances. They have been arrested and jailed for their songs, which criticize President Putin and his administration. Pussy Riot's actions represent a form of protest against Putin's authority.

In the 2016 US presidential election, Russian government agencies, under the direction of President Vladimir Putin, engaged in covert operations to interfere with the election process. This effort, dubbed Project Lakhta, aimed to undermine Hillary Clinton's campaign and boost Donald Trump's chances of winning.

In Russia, most media outlets are privately owned but heavily influenced and controlled by the government. This often leads to biased news coverage that favors the state.

The Russian government uses regulations and licensing requirements to control the content and narratives presented by media outlets, ensuring pro-government messaging.

State-owned TV channels like Russia One and Channel One are known for delivering pro-Kremlin news coverage, often presenting a biased and positive view of the government.

Journalists who criticize the Russian government often face threats and danger. Some have mysteriously died, suggesting a lack of press freedom and intimidation.

The Freedom House index, a measure of press freedom, ranks Russia very low, highlighting the lack of independent and free media in the country.

The Russian military, once a source of strength during the Cold War, is now considered weaker, though it has increased its importance in recent years.

The Russian military, while historically weaker than the Soviet military, is still the fifth-largest in the world by total personnel, with over 3.4 million members.

All males in Russia are required to serve in the military for one year, contributing to the size of the Russian armed forces.

Russia's military has taken on a more significant role with the invasion of Ukraine and involvement in the Syrian conflict, demonstrating its growing influence.

Over 80% of Russians identify as Russian Orthodox, but most are not religiously active, due to the Soviet Union's suppression of religion.

Since 2007, President Putin has promoted and supported the Russian Orthodox Church, seeking to strengthen religious influence in society.

In Russia, various religions are present, but in small percentages. These include Roman Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, and Muslim, particularly among Chechens in the Caucasus region.

Russia's population is primarily Russian, with other ethnicities making up smaller percentages, including Tatars, Ukrainians, Bashkirs, and Chuvash.

Russia's federal structure often creates overlaps among regions, ethnicity, and religion, making it difficult to separate these factors.

The Chechnya conflict, driven by ethnic and religious tensions, has strained relations between Russia and the Chechen people, resulting in two wars in the 1990s.

Russia's government has attempted to address the Russian-Chechen social cleavage through policy responses, including rebuilding mosques and implementing Shari'a law in Chechnya.