Keys to FSU
1. Rapid political and economic change is
taking place in the region. Democratic
ideas have replaced communist
governments throughout most of the
region
2. New nations have emerged from the
collapse of the Soviet Union
Keys
3. The chief physical characteristic is a huge lowland
plain which allows free movement of people,
ideas and goods.
4. Of the many national or ethnic groups, the Slavic-
speaking people predominate
– Russians
– Ukrainians
– Belarussians
Keys
5. Economic development has been hampered
(hindered, limited) by a number of factors:
– Mongol occupation for 200 years
– Lack of access to warm-water ports
– Inefficiencies of the Communist System
Keys
6. Change is underway in the way farms and
factories are organized. People are freer to
attempt free enterprise by growing their
own food for profit.
7. The people of this region-the Heart of
Eurasia-face many critical problems in
changing to democracy and free enterprise.