Vladimir Lenin was Russia's leader before Joseph Stalin. Russia is located on both Europe and Asia. Some key terms from the Russian vocabulary include Siberia (land east of the Ural Mountains), the taiga (evergreen forest), and the steppe (grasslands). The Cyrillic alphabet is the Russian alphabet based on Greek. Mongols invaded Russia in the 13th century. A czar is an emperor. The Bolsheviks were a communist group that took power in 1917. Gulags were Soviet labor camps, often in Siberia. Red Square and St. Basil's Cathedral are landmarks in Moscow. Faberge eggs were intricate jeweled eggs. The Trans-Siberian Railroad runs across Russia. Sturgeon are fish valued for

1. Mrs. Miles’ Social Studies Class Russia Vocabulary

2. February 28th Openers: 1.) Who was Russia’s leader before Joseph Stalin? A) Mikhail Gorbachev B) Benito Mussolini C) Vladimir Lenin D) Adolf Hitler 2.) Russia is located on what two continents? A) South America and Europe B) Asia and Europe C) Asia and North America D) Europe and Africa

3. Russia Vocabulary Siberia– area of land located between the Ural Mountains and the Pacific Ocean Taiga—Vast forest of evergreen trees Steppe– vast, grassy plains in southern Russia Cyrillic Alphabet—Russian alphabet used today; it is a form of the Greek alphabet

4. Russia Vocabulary Mongols (Tartars)—a group of people who invaded Russia in the 13th century. (They conquered the city of Kiev) The Mongols allowed Russian princes to rule over local states. Muscovy became the strongest state. In this region Moscow was the main city. Czar—means emperor. It is Russian for “Caesar.”

5. Russia Vocabulary Bolsheviks—group of radical Russian Communists which took control of Russia’s government in the Russian Revolution. They formed a new country called the USSR. Their first leader was Vladimir Lenin. Russian Revolution—a revolt led by the Bolsheviks under Lenin in November 1917 that led to a period of civil war which ended in victory for the Bolsheviks in 1922

6. Russia Revolution Gulags—harsh Soviet labor camps often located in Siberia. Under Stalin’s rule, many people were sent there because they spoke out against the government. Red Square-- is a city square in Moscow. The square separates the Kremlin from the historic merchant quarter.

7. Russia Vocabulary St. Basil’s Cathedral-- famous Russian landmark was built during the reign of Ivan IV. It was built in honor of Russian military victories.

8. St. Basil’s Cathedral

9. Russia Vocabulary Faberge Eggs– famous form of Russian art. First created by Peter Carl Faberge, these priceless eggs were unique and held a small surprise inside

10. Faberge Eggs:

11. Russia Vocabulary Dachas— Russian country houses Trans-Siberian Railroad—rail line that runs from Moscow to Vladivostok on the east coast. It is the longest single rail line in the world.

12. Russian Vocabulary Kremlin-- The Kremlin, is a historic fortified complex in Moscow, overlooking Saint Basil's Cathedral and the Red Square. It is home to four palaces, four cathedrals and the enclosing Kremlin Wall. The complex serves as the official residence of the President of Russia.

13. Kremlin

14. Russia Vocabulary Vladivostok--Russia's largest port city on the Pacific Ocean Sturgeon--large primitive fishes valued for their flesh and roe Caviar- Sturgeon eggs which have been preserved in salt

15. Sturgeon and Caviar

16. Russia Vocabulary Ivan IV—Czar of Russia in the 1500s known as Ivan the Terrible. He used secret police to control his people. He blinded the artists of St. Basil’s Cathedral so that they could never again produce something so beautiful Peter the Great—(Peter I) Czar who modernize and expanded Russia. He moved the capital of Russia to St. Petersburg.

17. Russian Vocabulary Catherine the Great—(Catherine II) ruler who modernized and expanded Russia