Russian Geographical Activity
Part 1 In this Lesson you are going to draw a map of Russia using an online map making tool found at: https://www.mapbox.com/ On your map you are to have: 1) The major cities and towns and the population of each. 2) Location of natural resources (type and quantity) 3) Russia’s terrain, i.e., mountains lakes etc 4) The ethnic groups which made up the Russian population. 5) An indication of climate and how it changes throughout the year in different regions. |
The geography of Russia is important to consider when considering the course of its history. Things such as the climate, terrain, its vastness, ethnic makeup and natural resources all impacted on how history unravelled in tsarist Russia. To understand the problems that were to dominate Nicholas II reign, we need to grasp the character of the Russia that he inherited.
Part 2 Questions to consider when you have completed your map. 1) How do you think Russia’s size affected the rule of Tsar Nicholas II? Things to consider: communication technology, central rule, chain of command. 2) Note the location of natural resources, how do you think this hindered Russian development? 3) How much suitable agricultural land is there in Russia? Think about location, productivity, reliability and type of land. 4) How did Russia’s climate hinder agricultural production? 5) How do you think Russia’s geography and climate hindered industrial development? 6) After the 1861 Emancipation Act, in consideration of the above do you think there was a willingness to remain on the land by the peasant classes. 7) Why did the russification of Russia’s minority ethnic groups start to occur? Some resources that will get you started with your answers: http://www.historytoday.com/john-etty/russia%E2%80%99s-climate-and-geography http://www.melgrosh.unimelb.edu.au/documents/Crises&RPeasantry-SGW.pdf http://countrystudies.us/russia/6.htm |