7th Period Russia Review Sheet (PDF)
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This document is a review sheet for a unit on Russia. It contains multiple choice questions and short answer questions, focusing on Russian political socialization and comparing the Russian Duma to the UK House of Commons.
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nit 2: Russia Test (30 pts) U Review Sheet 7th period: Thursday, December 5th 8th period: Wednesday, December 4th I. Format Multiple Choice (15 questions worth 1 pt each) Short Answer Questions ○ The role of Russian a...
nit 2: Russia Test (30 pts) U Review Sheet 7th period: Thursday, December 5th 8th period: Wednesday, December 4th I. Format Multiple Choice (15 questions worth 1 pt each) Short Answer Questions ○ The role of Russian authorities in political socialization (6 pts) ○ A comparison of the House of Commons (UK) to the Duma (Russia) (9 pts) Functions Electoral systems Why the House of Commons is more effective than the Duma in limiting the power of the executive II. Content Again, think abouthow concepts connect to each other. Example: how the level of civil society might relate to democratization in Russia Think abouthow political entities compare to eachother. Example: how the Duma holds more power than the Federation Council Topics and Questions to review: I n groups of 3 students, choose your color of the rainbow and complete your section. Define the terms and provide any extra information that illuminates the concepts and ideas. Use the textbook, your notes, the PowerPoint, and any other resources at your fingertips. ChatGPT is OK but make sure that the information that you find aligns with our studies and that it also makes sense to you. Group #1 (p. 363-376): Charlie, Luiza, Dylan 1. What are the historical roots of authoritarianism in Russia? rthodox Christianity:The church supported the ideaof the tsar as God’s representative, O strengthening centralized rule and discouraging challenges to authority. ongol Invasion:Mongol rule isolated Russia fromEurope and introduced a model of M hierarchical, centralized governance that Russian leaders later adopted. Ivan the Terrible’s Rule: - Consolidated power in Moscow and declared himself the first tsar. - Destroyed institutions that opposed his authority. - Created a personal police force (oprichnina) to eliminate enemies. - Established absolute control over land and aristocracy. Geography:Russia’s vast size required strong centralcontrol to manage and defend its territories. I solation from Europe:Limited exposure to ideas likedemocracy and individual rights during key European developments. 2. A dd two maps: 1 of the Soviet Union and 1 of present day Russia. And explain in a few sentences the differences between the two maps. he Soviet Union was much larger than present-day Russia. It included 15 republics, like T Ukraine, the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania), and Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and others). After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, these regions became independent, leaving Russia much smaller with only its current borders. 3. P rovide a summary of EACH the following leaders’ contributions to the development (or unraveling in the case of Gorbachev) of the Soviet state: Vladimir Lenin ○ Creation of the Soviet Union (1922): Played a central role in forming the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), uniting several republics under a single federal structure. ○ Marxist-Leninist Ideology: Adapted Marxist theory to fit Russian conditions, creating Leninism ○ Suppression of Opposition: Used the Red Army and Cheka (secret police) to suppress counterrevolutionaries and consolidate power Joseph Stalin ○ Industrialization and Five-Year Plans: Introduced aggressive Five-Year Plans to rapidly industrialize the Soviet economy, prioritizing heavy industry and infrastructure ○ Great Purge (1936–1938): Eliminated perceived enemies within the Communist Party and broader society through mass arrests, executions, and labor camps ○ Foreign Policy and World War II: Played a pivotal role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II, with the USSR emerging as a global superpower Nikita Khrushchev: ○ De-Stalinization: relaxed political repression and censorship, releasing many political prisoners ○ Oversaw key achievements in the Soviet space race ○ Cuban Missile Crisis (1962): placed Soviet missiles in Cuba, leading to a tense standoff with the United States Mikhail Gorbachev: ○ Implemented policies Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (transparency) aimed at reforming the Soviet Union politically, socially, and economically Implementation of these policies weakened the Communist Party's authority, allowing for criticisms to be made of the party ○ Gorbachev’s refusal to use military force to maintain control over Eastern Bloc countries led to their rapid independence. ○ His policies allowed the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact. ○ Perestroika’s partial reforms created confusion between centralized control and market mechanisms, leading to shortages and inflation 4. E xplain in simple terms how the Soviet Union fell and became the Russian Federation. What was Yeltsin’s role in all of this? he Soviet Union fell because of economic struggles, political reforms, and rising T nationalism in its republics. Mikhail Gorbachev’s policies, like Perestroika and Glasnost, aimed to fix the system but instead weakened it. In 1991, a failed coup by hardliners further destabilized the country. Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Republic, opposed the coup and became a key leader. Later that year, Yeltsin and other leaders signed an agreement to dissolve the Soviet Union. On December 25, 1991, the Soviet flag was lowered, and Yeltsin became the first President of the Russian Federation, leading the country into a difficult transition to democracy and capitalism. Group #2 (p. 376-383): Aiden, Mia, Haile 1. What terms would you use to describe Russia’s government? - Haile Authoritarian Centralized Dominant-party system Federal republic Managed democracy 2. D escribe the 1993 Constitution. Which type of power does it emphasize (presidential, legislative, or judicial)? - Mia - The 1993 Constitution emphasizes strong presidential powers. - The President is give the power to: - Appoint the Prime Minister - Issue decrees that have the force of law (as long as they don’t contradict existing legislation) - Dissolve the State Duma - Direct foreign and defense policies as the Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces - Legislative Branch - Federal Assembly has two chambers: - State Duma (proposes and passes laws, approves the PM, and can express no-confidence votes - Federation Council - Represents regional interests and review certain federal laws - Judicial independence - The Constitution establishes as judiciary including the Constitutional Court, Supreme Court, and other federal courts - T hey have the power to review laws and executive actions for constitutional compliance, but in practice, judicial independence has been limited by executive influence 3. E xplain the role of the following political institutions in Russia and explain their power in relation to the other other political institutions. The President - Most powerful and controls most other institutions Federal Security Service (FSB) Internal Security Counterintelligence Economic Oversight - Investigate financial crimes and corruption (SUPPOSEDLY) Thesiloviki -high-ranking officials with backgroundsin security, military, or intelligence services - (basically half of the president’s Cabinet) The State Council - advisory body to the president, composed of regional leaders, senior officials, and experts - (other half of the president’s Cabinet) ○ The Prime Minister Nominated by the president and approved by the State Duma - subordinate to the president and lacks independence in authority ○ The Federal Assembly The Duma - lower house of the Federal Assembly Drafting and passing legislation Approving the president’s nominee for prime minister Initiating votes of no confidence against the government (rarely successful) ○ The Federation Council - upper house of the Federal Assembly, with representatives from each region Ratifying the use of military forces abroad Approving presidential appointments to the judiciary Overseeing regional and federal relations The President - Dominant figure, controls foreign policy and security ○ F ederal Security Service (FSB) - Successor to the KGB; internal security and intelligence ○ Thesiloviki -Ex-security officials with influencein government/business ○ The State Council - Advises the president; has no legislative power T he Prime Minister - Implements policy; subordinate to the president ussia’s bicameral legislature, consisting of the State Duma (lower house) and the Federation R Council (upper house). It passes federal laws and approves the budget but operates under significant presidential influence. State Duma The 450-member lower chamber drafts and votes on laws, approves the Prime Minister, and oversees government activity. Dominated by United Russia, it aligns closely with the President’s agenda. otable Individuals: N Vyacheslav Volodin (Speaker) Gennady Zyuganov (Communist Party leader) Federation Council The upper chamber represents Russia’s regions, reviews laws, and approves decisions on constitutional amendments, war, and judicial appointments. It largely supports the Kremlin’s policies. otable Individual: N Valentina Matviyenko (Chairperson) ower Dynamics P The President holds dominant power, with the Federal Assembly and its chambers acting largely as legislative arms of the executive branch. The Judiciary - Mia ○ To what extent does Russia abide by “the rule of law?” In shot, no; its implementation in practice has been very insignificant Issues undermining it: Executive dominance (Russia president) Selective enforcement Corruption Restriction on Civil liberties (including laws curbing free speech) ○ The Constitutional Court Reviewing laws and acts Resolving disputes C itizen complaints ○ Does Russia havejudicial review? Yes, in theory. But there are challenges in practice… Limited Independence Selective use Group #3 (p. 383-391): Lebron, Sophia, David, Chloe 1) wExplain how presidential elections work in Russia. Chloe -If no majority is obtained in the first election, then there is a run-off election. 2) Explain how elections work for the Russian Duma. Include a visual diagram if it is helpful. - The State Duma- The State Duma is the lower house of Russia’s parliament and it has450 memberswho serve forfive years. 1. Proportional Representation (225 seats) M ethod: Voters cast a ballot for a political partyrather than an individual candidate. Threshold: A party must receive at least5% of thenational voteto gain representation. Seat Allocation: The 225 seats are distributed amongqualifying parties based on the percentage of votes they receive. his system ensures that smaller parties can gain representation, provided they surpass the 5% T threshold. 2. Single-Member Constituencies (225 seats) M ethod: Russia is divided into225 single-member districts.In each district, voters select a specific candidate. Winner: The candidate who receives the most votesin their district wins the seat. Majoritarian Voting: This is a "first-past-the-post"system where only the candidate with the most votes is elected, regardless of whether they achieve an absolute majority. Election Process Overview 1. Candidate Nominations: ○ Political parties nominate candidates for both proportional representation and single-member districts. ○ Independent candidates can also run in single-member districts but must gather voter signatures to qualify. 2. Voting: ○ Voters receivetwo ballots: 1. One to vote for a party (proportional representation). 2. One to vote for a candidate in their local district (single-member). 3. Counting and Distribution: ○ Votes for parties are tallied nationwide to determine how the 225 proportional representation seats are distributed. ○ District votes are counted locally to determine the winners of the 225 single-member seats. Factors Influencing Representation E lectoral Threshold: The 5% requirement for partyrepresentation means some votes may not translate into seats if cast for small parties that fail to meet this threshold. Gerrymandering Concerns: Single-member districts canbe drawn in ways that may benefit particular political interests. Media Access and Oversight: State control of mediaand election oversight is often criticized for favoring dominant political forces, particularly the rulingUnited Russiaparty. his system combines proportional representation for broader party inclusion with single-member T districts for direct local representation. However, critics argue that the system heavily favors the r uling party and limits competition. 4o 3) Define asymmetric federalism. Jesse a) a form of federal governance in which different constituent units of a federation (such as states, provinces, or regions) have varying degrees of autonomy or different powers and responsibilities 4) H ow has Putin reduced regional autonomy? David Since 2000, Vladimir Putin has systematically reduced regional autonomy in Russia through measures such as abolishing gubernatorial elections in 2004, replacing them with presidential appointments, and centralizing financial and political power, making regions heavily reliant on federal funding. He abolished regional presidencies in 2021, ensuring only the federal leader could hold that title, despite resistance from regions like Tatarstan. Movements for federalism or greater regional independence have been suppressed, often branded as separatism, transforming Russia’s nominally federal structure into a highly centralized state. 5) Define parties of power. Chloe party that is closely aligned with the federal branch of the government. They most likely A have a lot of power in the Duma. Ex. United Russia (party of Putin) 6) P ut the following political parties on a political compass (Left-Right, Authoritarian-Libertarian) and write a few main phrases that characterize them. Also include the extent to which the party may serve as a facade for a true multi-party system. 1. United Russia F ounded: 2001 Ideology: Conservative, nationalist, pro-government. Key Features: ○ Dominates Russian politics; strongly supports President Vladimir Putin. ○ Advocates stability, economic growth, and centralized power. ○ Focused on patriotism and maintaining Russian sovereignty. 2. Communist Party of the Russian Federation (CPRF) F ounded: 1993 Ideology: Communist, socialist, anti-capitalist. Key Features: ○ Successor of the Soviet-era Communist Party. ○ Promotes state control of industries, social welfare, and Soviet nostalgia. ○ Appeals to older generations and rural voters. 3. Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR) F ounded: 1991 Ideology: Nationalist, populist, far-right. Key Features: ○ Known for inflammatory rhetoric and charismatic leadership (e.g., late Vladimir Zhirinovsky). ○ Advocates expansionist foreign policies and strong Russian nationalism. ○ Often serves as a "loyal opposition" to the government. 4. A Just Russia – For Truth F ounded: 2006 (merged with smaller parties in 2021). Ideology: Social democracy, leftist nationalism. Key Features: ○ Combines socialism with patriotic rhetoric. ○ Supports welfare programs and moderate opposition to United Russia. ○ Seen as a controlled opposition party. 5. New People F ounded: 2020 Ideology: Centrist, reformist, entrepreneurial. Key Features: ○ Focuses on economic modernization, small businesses, and technology. A ○ ppeals to younger, urban voters. ○ Positions itself as a "modern" alternative to traditional parties. 6. Yabloko F ounded: 1993 Ideology: Liberal, pro-democracy, human rights. Key Features: ○ Advocates for democratic reforms, civil liberties, and environmentalism. ○ Strongly opposes government authoritarianism. ○ Appeals to intellectuals and urban progressives but struggles to gain widespread support. Group #4 (p. 391-397): Casey, Pao, Alicia 1) How has civil society been limited, particularly under Putin? R estrictive Legislation: Laws such as the 2012 "foreign agents" law label NGOs receiving foreign funding as foreign agents, discrediting and financially burdening them. Harassment and Repression: Independent activists, journalists, and organizations face arrests, fines, and surveillance. Control over Public Space: Protests and public demonstrations are heavily restricted. Limited Political Opposition: Political opposition groups are marginalized or banned, often accused of extremism. 2) W hat has been the historical role of the Orthodox Church in Russia? What is its current role? - istorically, under Soviet Russia, Russia was secular. H - Currently, the Orthodox Church plays a large role in the government. - Supports the government, advocating conservative social policies and moral values. - Often acts as a vehicle for legitimizing Putin’s rule. 3) How has the media been restricted by the Russian government? Provide specific examples. tate Ownership:Key media outlets are controlledby the state (e.g., Channel One and Russia S Today). Censorship and Propaganda: M edia outlets are required to align with government narratives. Dissemination of content critical of the government is suppressed. Specific Examples: T he closure of independent outlets like Novaya Gazeta and TV Rain. The arrest of journalists critical of the Kremlin, such as Ivan Safronov, on espionage charges. Internet restrictions, including bans on opposition websites. 4) Describe the ethnic demographics of Russia today. Provide a chart or graph that reflects this. 80% ethnically Russia, largely Orthodox 5) D escribe the religious demographics of Russia today. Provide a chart or graph that reflects this. p rominence of Russian Orthodoxy, followed by a significant Muslim minority considerable portion of the population identifying as non-religious. 6) H ow has the Russian government’s relationship with Chechnya changed since the first Chechen War until today? First Chechen War (1994-1996): a) Conflict for Independence:Chechnya declared independenceafter the fall of the Soviet Union. b) Russian Response:The Russian government, under PresidentBoris Yeltsin, launched ilitary action to prevent Chechen independence. m c) Outcome:The war ended in a ceasefire and de factoindependence for Chechnya, but with significant casualties and destruction. The Russian military struggled to maintain control. Second Chechen War (1999-2009): d) Renewed Hostilities:In response to insurgent attacksand the rise of Islamist extremism in Chechnya, Russia launched another military campaign under President Vladimir Putin. e) Russian Victory:Russia reasserted control, despitethe heavy destruction of Grozny, the Chechen capital. The war ended with Chechnya coming under direct Russian control. f) Massive Humanitarian Impact:Tens of thousands ofcivilians were killed or displaced. Post-War Period (2000s-Present): g) Kadyrov’s Rise to Power:In 2007, Ramzan Kadyrov,the son of a Chechen warlord, ecame the leader of Chechnya. He has maintained close ties with Putin and has been a key b figure in stabilizing the region under Russian authority. h) Autonomy in Exchange for Loyalty:While Chechnya remainspart of Russia, it has gained significant autonomy under Kadyrov’s rule. In exchange, Kadyrov pledges loyalty to Putin. i) Authoritarian Rule:Kadyrov has established a strong,authoritarian regime with widespread allegations of human rights abuses, including torture, extrajudicial killings, and suppression of opposition. j) Current Stability:Despite the authoritarianism, Chechnyaremains largely stable, with little opposition to Kadyrov’s rule, as the Russian government tolerates or even supports his actions as long as Chechnya remains loyal to the Kremlin. 7) W hat would be the defining ideology of Russia today? How is this ideology expressed by the government and by the people? ussia’s defining ideology today is authoritarian nationalism, combining strong state control, R traditional values, and anti-Western sentiment. The government emphasizes patriotism, Orthodox Christianity, and traditional family roles, while suppressing dissent and promoting laws against Western liberal influences. This ideology is expressed through state-controlled media, support for conservative policies, and a focus on protecting Russia’s sovereignty. Many Russians support these ideas as symbols of national pride and stability, though some criticize them as restrictive. Group #5: (p. 398-405): Danny, Mateo, Riley Why was the transition from a command economy to a market economy so challenging? he transition required creating entirely new institutions to support a market system and led to T economic instability, including unemployment, inflation, and reduced output. Social resistance arose as populations struggled with uncertainty and rising inequality. What is shock therapy? What were the results of this reform? S hock therapy refers to rapid economic reforms like price deregulation, trade liberalization, and privatization to transition to a market economy. The results included hyperinflation, economic contraction, and increased poverty, with short-term hardships overshadowing long-term goals. Define insider privatization. I nsider privatization occurs when state-owned enterprises are sold to managers and employees, concentrating ownership among those already in power. This often entrenches inefficiencies and excludes wider public participation. Who are the oligarchs? ligarchs are individuals who gained massive wealth and political influence during the 1990s O through acquiring state assets, often in industries like oil, gas, and metals. They played a significant role in shaping post-Soviet economies and politics. How did Putin change the class of oligarchs? What were the results of this? utin diminished the influence of oligarchs by prosecuting opponents and reasserting state control P over strategic industries, rewarding loyalty to his administration. This centralized power in the Kremlin while loyal oligarchs retained or expanded their influence. Define siloviki. S iloviki refers to officials from military, security, or law enforcement backgrounds who occupy key positions in Putin’s government and state enterprises. They emphasize centralized authority and a security-driven governance style. What is the “resource curse” economy? How might this affect Russia’s economy moving forward? he "resource curse" refers to the paradox where resource-rich economies rely heavily on exports T like oil and gas, stifling diversification and long-term growth. Russia's reliance on such resources makes it vulnerable to price volatility and hampers sustainable economic development. Why did reconciliation between Russia and the West fail? Provide 3 reasons. econciliation failed due to NATO’s eastward expansion, which Russia perceived as a security threat; R conflicting values between democratic ideals and Russia’s authoritarian governance; and economic sanctions over Russian actions in Crimea and Ukraine, deepening mistrust. S upplemental Content (Ms. Bloomfield will go over this with you during our review (7th: 12/3, 8th: 12/2)) The UK Russia overnment involvement in G argely free, L I n Russia the government is civil society quangos(quasi-NGOS), civil heavily involved in civil society society is encouraged - too involved he effect of electoral rules on First past the post/single T ixed system, M party systems ember district=two party m Half single member district system creates two dominant Half based on proportional parties(you do have some representation regional parties, you know, This leads to a greater number representation) of parties represented he relative power of the T ood amount (tremendous), a N G ot that much, controlled by Prime Minister significant amount of power, Putin head of the legislature SAQ prep: ○ The role of Russian authorities in political socialization (6 pts) olitical socialization is the process by which individuals develop their political beliefs, values, P attitudes, and behaviors. This lifelong process is influenced by family, peers, education, media, religion, cultural norms, and significant life experiences. Key agents of political socialization include: amily: Often the first and most influential source of political attitudes and values. F Education: Schools teach civic knowledge, the functioning of government, and democratic principles. Peers: Friends and social groups can shape perspectives on political issues and participation. Media: News, entertainment, and social media play a significant role in framing political information and public opinion. Religion and Culture: Religious institutions and cultural heritage influence moral and ethical views that intersect with politics. (Modified from ChatGPT) o looking at the categories above, what role does the Russian government play in each of S those (education, media, religion, social groups, etc)? ○ A comparison of the House of Commons (UK) to the Duma (Russia) (9 pts) Functions Electoral systems Why the House of Commons is more effective than the Duma in limiting the power of the executive UK: House of Commons Russia: Duma Functions M akes and passes laws R esponsible for Drafting MPs represent their local and passing laws constituencies and the interests of Appoints key officials like their local voters in debates and the chair of the central decisions bank Controls public finances Approves the federal Can remove a government with a budget vote of no confidence Ratifies treaties Approves or debates treaties lectoral E PTP (First Past the Post) system. Each F I f no majority is obtained in the Systems constituency elects an MP and the first election, then there is a run-off candidate with the most votes wins. Favors election. larger parties and often results in single-party majority government/two S tate Duma Elections (Lower party system. House): Held every 5 years using a mix of voting systems. H alf the seats are filled by voters choosing a political party (proportional representation). The other half are filled by voters choosing individual candidates in their districts (majority voting). ederation Council (Upper House): F Members are not directly elected. T hey are appointed by regional governors and legislatures. egional and Local Elections: R Voting systems vary. S ome regions elect governors directly, while others have them appointed. Many elections mix voting for parties and individual candidates. ethods and M hecks and balances (votes of no C - Legislative oversight: Duma can effectiveness confidence) oversee government actions and in limiting the policies, and summon ministers for power of the arliamentary Oversight: The P questioning executive government is scrutinized through mechanisms like Prime Minister’s he Russian Duma (lower house of T Questions, parliamentary committees, and the Federal Assembly) has at times debates. limited presidential power, though Vote of No Confidence: The House of its influence has often been Commons can remove the government if it reduced by centralized power under loses a no-confidence vote. leaders like Vladimir Putin. Judicial Review: Courts can review executive actions to ensure they comply xamples of Duma checking E with the law and respect rights. presidential power: House of Lords: Can delay or suggest amendments to government legislation, 1. R ejection of providing a secondary check. Appointments (1990s): Media and Public Opinion: Serve as ○ The Duma informal checks by holding the executive sometimes rejected accountable through scrutiny and criticism. key presidential nominees, like Boris Yeltsin's nominee for prime minister in 1998. 2. Limiting Decrees: ○ The Duma passed laws to narrow the scope of presidential decrees, particularly during Yeltsin's presidency. 3. Impeachment Attempts: ○ In 1999, the Duma tried to impeach Yeltsin over issues like the Chechen War, though the effort failed. 4. Budget Oversight: ○ The Duma controls the federal budget and has used this to influence economic policies, especially in the 1990s. 5. Resistance to Amendments: ○ Occasionally, the Duma resisted constitutional changes, asserting its legislative authority. Limitations: D ominance of pro-presidential parties (e.x, United Russia). Centralization of power under Putin. Strategies weakening opposition influence. hile influential in the 1990s, W the Duma’s ability to challenge the president has declined significantly.
