A government program that required everyone in the empire to speak Russian and to become a Christian

Illegal trade of scarce or illegal goods, usually sold at high prices

First czar of Russia, known for cruelty and being constantly at war

A Russian revolutionary, politician, and political theorist. He Led the Bolshevik Revolution in 1917. He served as the head of government of Soviet Russia from 1917 to 1924 and of the Soviet Union from 1922 to 1924.

Bolshevik revolutionary, head of the Soviet Communists after 1924, and dictator of the Soviet Union from 1928 to 1953. He led the Soviet Union with an iron fist, using Five-Year Plans to increase industrial production and terror to crush opposition

Philosopher, political economist, theorist, sociologist, and revolutionary. Often recognized as the father of communism. He believed in a classless society, and wanted to replace capitalism with an economic system in which workers would own property in common and share the wealth they produced.

Head of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. He tried to liberate the USSR in order to improve relations with the West. He lost his power after his reforms resulted in Communist governments in eastern Europe collapsing.

The power struggle between the Soviet Union and the United States after World War II

Was the first President of the Russian Federation from 1991 to 1999. This era was a traumatic period in Russian history— marked by widespread corruption, economic collapse, and enormous political and social problems.

The large walled fortress in Moscow that is the center of the government of Russia

Russian President from 2000-2008. Prime Minister from 2008-present. Very popular with the Russian people. Stabilized the economy. Has cracked down on some freedoms of the people and media.

The longest river in Europe and Russia's most important commercial river.

A mountain range that separates Europe from Asia

Russia's great frontier region, a vast territory of what is now central and eastern Russia, most of it unsuited to agriculture but rich in mineral resources and fur-bearing animals.

Narrow body of water that separates Russia from Alaska

A large region or administrative district in Russia similar to a state or province