Unit I: Historical Background
What was the fate of the last Romanov's?
executed in Siberia by Bolsheviks
What European conqueror attacked Russia in 1812 and was defeated by Alexander I in 1814?
Bonaparte Napolean
What Russian leader was the key figure in formally dissolving the Soviet Union?
Boris Yeltsin
Who was the first president of Russia (the Russian Federation)?
Boris Yeltsin
What is the significance of 1991?
Boris Yeltsin provokes breakup of USSR into 14 independent countries, the formation of the commonwealth of independent states
What is another name for Bolsheviks?
Communists
How were the two revolutions of 1917 different?
February Revolution : Tsar Nickolas II forced to abdicate, provisional government takes power October Revolution: Lenin and Bolsheviks attack St. Petersburg and overthrow the provisional government
What event in the summer of 1991 contributed to the break up of the Soviet Union?
an old guard coup was attempeted when a group of Communist Party insiders overthrew Gorbachev and sent troops to Moscow Yeltin raises morale and ends the coup (humiliates G in the process)
What Soviet leader presided of the period of Soviet decline known as the Era of Stagnation?
Leonid Brezhnev
What Soviet Leader attempted to save the Soviet Union by initiating a series of radical reforms that ultimately led to the fall of the Soviet Union?
Mikhail Gorbachev
Who was the last Soviet leader of the Soviet Union?
Mikhail Gorbachev
What Empire forced Russia to pay tribute for 2 1/2 centuries?
Mongol Empire
What city was the capital of Russia from the 14th - 18th century?
Moscow
What city was the capital of the Soviet Union?
Moscow
What is the capital of Russia today?
Moscow
What city was the capital of the Russian Empire? What 3 name changes did it undergo in the 20th century?
St. Petersburg St. P --> Petrograd --> Leningrad --> St. P
How did the current president maintain power after his second term without technically violating his 2 term limitation according to the Russian constitution?
after he came to his 2 consecutive term limit, he put PM Medvedev in presidency as figurehead
What is the significance of 2000?
Vladimir Putin, former KGB spy, assumes presidency
What leader is given credit for Russia being a Christian country?
988 AD, Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev
When was the period of Perestroika? Who was the Communist Part Head during this time? What new office did he assume?
1985-1991 Mikhail Gorbachev assumed presidency
What Tsar freed the serfs?
Alexander II in 1861
Name on ally of the Soviet Union in WWII?
America
What is the significance of 988 AD?
Grand Prince Vladimir I of Kiev Christianizes Rus
What Russian ruler was the first to use terroristic methods to consolidate his power?
Grand Prince of Moscow, Ivan IV (the terrible) first to assume title of tsar
What is the significance of 1941-1945?
Great Fatherland War (WWII) Soviet Union defeats Nazi Germany
Who was the first Tsar of Russia?
Ivan IV (the terrible)
What Soviet Leader is known (along with Hitler) as the worst dictator in history?
Joseph Stalin
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union during WWII? What do Russians call this war fought on Soviet territory?
Joseph Stalin and the Great Fatherland War
What is the first capital of East Slavic Lands?
Kiev
Which Soviet leader presided over Soviet space supremacy, nuclear belligerance, a rejection of Stalinism, limimted cultueral opennes and a strong anti-religious campaign? What is the period he was in power called?
Krushchev
What 18th century rulers of Russia are associated with Westernization?
Peter I (the great) and Catherine II (the great)
Name of the second dynasty of Russia?
Romanov Dynasty
Name of the first dynasty of Russia?
Rurik Dynasty
Who was the last Tsar of Russia?
Tsar-Emperor Nicholas II
What is the significance of 1917?
Tsar-Emperor Nicholas II forcibly abdicates in February Revolution and Provisional government takes power
What is the significance of 862 AD?
Varangian (Scandinavian) ruler Rurik comes to the Slavic land and begins to rule (Rurik Dynasty begins)
Who was the first Communist leader of the Soviet Union?
Vladimir Lenin
Who was the first Soviet Leader?
Vladimir Lenin
Who is the president of Russia today? How'd he become president?
Vladimir Putin became president when Yeltsin sponsored him
Who was the first person in space?
Yuri Gagarin
