Essays and Research Papers on Modern Russia / Former USSR

A 15 page paper dealing with the use of propaganda in the Soviet system. Soviet propaganda is examined through chronological development from 1917 to post-Cold War. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

This 10 page paper provides a biographical sketch of this former Russian leader. His policies are assessed and his legacy is explored. His popularity is discussed as well as the criticisms and superstitions surrounding his presidency. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

This 6 page paper explores three trends in economic and political thought which includes the free market economy, democracy and individualism. The countries of Russia, Britain, France and China are the focus of the discussion. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

A 6 page essay that has as its premise what Lenin and Hitler might have said to each other in a conversation. The writer uses this form to discuss main points of their ideology, basing their remarks on Lenin's book, State and Revolution, and Hitler's Mein Kampf. No additional sources cited.

A 9 page discussion of Russia’s political transition from communism to democracy. Cautions that this transition is far from complete and hinges in part on upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. Bibliography lists 9 sources.

A 6 page overview of the economic revitalization enacted in Russia in the late 1930s by Joseph Stalin. Describes the accomplishments but emphasizes the costs which were incurred as a result of Stalin's ruthlessness. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

8 pages in length. The writer discusses post-Soviet Union institutions as they relate to feudal Europe. Bibliography lists 6 sources.

5 pages in length. The paper, presented in journal-style format, outlines the breakup of the Soviet Union and the effect it had on business and people afterward. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

12 pages in length. Since Russia's new independence from Communism, people have been steadily working toward establishing themselves a new identity. Indeed, what will not be included in this renewed selfhood is the chauvinistic nationalism that exerted its control for so long; rather, post-Soviet Russia has been striving to achieve a strong sense ...

This 5 page report discusses John Reed’s 1934 account of the Bolsheviks and the Russian Revolution of 1917. Reed was an unapologetic communist before communism became demonized. His book and Reed himself, have inspired a great deal of controversy. Through Reed’s commentary, it is possible to understand many of the objectives and fundamental goals of the revolutionary leaders and ...

This nine-page-paper presents an in-depth discussion on the differences in two different democratic systems. using England and Czech Republic as examples it explains the nations age differences. Bibliography lists seven sources.

This 3 page report discusses some of the numerous events and a significant array of policies ultimately brought about the end of the Cold War. From events as monumental as the destruction of the Berlin Wall and the dissolution of the Soviet Union to other far less spectacular events. Bibliography lists 2 sources.

A 5 page discussion of the role of the 1955 Warsaw Pact in Russia's past and present imperialistic tendencies. Cautions that while the Warsaw Pact was dissolved with the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Russian imperialism continues to present many concerns to world order. Bibliography lists 5 sources.

A 10 page paper. The question that is explored is: What has happened to the condition of women in Russia since Gorbachev's reforms and what factors have contributed to these changes. The writer begins by offering an outline of statistics about women. One of the changes is that it is legal to have women's groups in the country ...

This 8 page report discusses the Russian war in Chechnya. As with so many of the battles going on around the world, the Russian war in the province of Chechnya is one that is difficult to understand and appears to change on an almost daily basis. Numerous issues are at stake in the confrontation, not the least of which is ...

This 10 page report discusses Russia’s first elected president, Boris Yeltsin. Was he a an old-style Russian oligarch determined to take his rightful place in the leadership of his country? Or can he be better-defined as a leader firmly in touch with the needs and desires of the “real” Russians -- the people once described as the “proletariat.” ...

(6 pp). Ivan IV or Ivan the Terrible,1530-84, grand duke of Moscow (1533-84), was the first Russian ruler to assume formally the title of czar. Ivan the Terrible, the most famous tsar before Peter the Great and the most brutal ruler of Russia before Stalin, inherited the throne as a three-year-old boy on ...

This 5 page paper considers the use of passive language in Russian. The use of passive language occurs in many languages and assessments of the impact of the use of the passive in Russian provides some insight into specific elements of the language. Bibliography lists 4 sources.

11 pages in length. When Yeltsin announced his resignation to the world and that his hand-picked successor would be Vladimir Putin, it was a surprise to all. This paper is a discussion of this action and the different styles of leadership as the world will see between these two politicos. Bibliography lists 23 sources.

(6pp) It has been argued that Catherine was an educated ruler, not necessarily an enlightened one. The argument being that the Enlightenment was a time when people were discussing abstract ideas, and attempting to reach consensus in the process. However in Europe this was mainly discussion between intellectuals, and since at the ...

An 18 page paper which examines the social, economic and political repercussions of war in both countries. Bibliography lists 11 sources.

An 8 page paper discussing the differences in the politics of Russia's first and second presidents. Putin is much younger than Yeltsin and more energetic, but there is evidence that there is little other difference. Putin campaigned on extensive reforms and gave hope to restoring law and order while reducing corruption, but one of his first acts ...

(5 pp) Four basic questions have been proposed for discussion from the information that we have examined in the course, of "The Idea of Race:" 1) The need for national identity in relationship to racism, from the viewpoint of Malik (1996). 2) Using Malik again to examine the development of ...

An 8 page discussion of the Cold War. Contends that this period was anything one of peace and security. Provides examples of the friction which existed between the United States and the Soviet Union, the events culminating in the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, the dissolution of the Soviet Union, and the changing role ...

An 11 page paper discussing how the policies of Stalin's successor affected the people of the former Soviet Union. Under Khrushchev, there were several areas in which Russian citizens could expect to live longer lives than under Stalin, but Khrushchev did not materially improve the plight of the people in terms of any sort of freedom. Any ...