University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas Libraries: Russia and the Former Soviet Republics Maps
Collection of maps (political, geographic, thematic, topographic, etc.) related to Russia and the former Soviet Union.
Other
Soviet Union: The Big Problems of Small Ethnic Groups
An interesting article on the special problems of small ethnic groups in the former Soviet Union. Ethnic groups in the northern part of Russia are focused on.
NOAA
Noaa: National Weather Service: Regional Climate Maps Former Soviet Union
Find weekly, monthly, and 3-month climate maps for Russia and the Former Soviet Union. Includes total precipitation and minimum and maximum temperature.
Library of Congress
Loc: Revelations From the Russian Archives
This particular page from the Library of Congress is the homepage with an outline of hyperlinks to numerous articles that could provide background information regarding the former Soviet Union.
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.
PBS
Pbs: Red Files: Secret Soviet Moon Mission
PBS offers biographies and stories from the early days of the Soviet Space program, which prompted the Space Race and nuclear arms race between the U.S. and the former Soviet Union.
Other
Economic Reasons for the Collapse of the Soviet Union
This complicated essay describes the fall of the Soviet Union in economic terms, with an emphasis on the lack of production.
A&E Television
History.com: How Landing the First Man on the Moon Cost Dozens of Lives
NASA was preparing feverishly for a moon landing in a race against the former Soviet Union to honor slain president John F. Kennedy's 1961 pledge for the country to land a spacecraft on the moon (and return safely) before the end of the...
CNN
Cnn: Former Russian Leader Yeltsin Dead
Relays the story of the death of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin who at age 76 died from heart failure on 4/23/07. Discusses highlights of his years as President and links to many other articles relating to him.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Joseph Stalin
An in-depth biography of former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. Content includes information on his childhood and early years, his rise to power after Lenin's death, his policy of collectivisation, his consolidation of absolute power by the...
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: End of the Cold War
This is a collection of primary source documents covering the collapse of the Soviet Union during the late 1980's. The collection contains documents from archives in most of the former Soviet bloc countries. They discuss the changes...
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: World Factbook: Belarus
This site from the CIA World Factbook connects to "The World Factbook" page of the country Belarus, former Soviet state. Students must first click on "Country Listing" and then scroll down to Belarus.
Library of Congress
Loc: Early Cooperation: Economic Cooperation
This resource from the Library of Congress details the early economic cooperative arrangements between the former Soviet Union and the United States. The site links to other information regarding this topic.
PBS
Pbs Teachers: Soviet Sports Wars
Explore the history of athletic competition in the former Soviet Union and describe Soviet athletes' attempts to reconcile their achievements as unique individuals with the Soviet ideology of being equal to all. Research women's role in...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Khrushchev's Secret Speech, 1956
Excerpt of Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech," delivered before a closed session of the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956. In this speech, Khrushchev admits the many crimes and atrocities of former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Mitrokhin Archive
The Mitrokhin Archive consists of summarized notes taken by Vasili Nikitich Mitrokhin, a former KGB archivist who defected to the United Kingdom after the fall of the Soviet Union. Primarily, this collection contains items from his...
University of Texas at Austin
Perry Castaneda Library Map Collection: Historical Maps of Russia
This outstanding collection of historical maps contains a wide variety of maps from various parts of the Soviet Union as well as the former Soviet Republics, and from different parts of history. Each map is accompanied by a brief...
PBS
Pbs American Experience: Race for the Superbomb
This site explores the Cold War race to develop the hydrogen bomb, a weapon that would change the world. Content details all the people who were involved in the race for the H-Bomb, as well as notable events during this time period....
NOAA
Noaa: Cpc: Regional Climate Maps
Provides large colorful maps of climate data about each continent for the current week, month, or previous quarter.
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet: Lithuania
Travel site offers a brief summary of the history of Lithuania, from its ancient beginnings through its more recent independence from the former Soviet Union. Also includes information on culture, demographics, and geography.
International Institute of Social History
International Institute of Social History: Chairman Smiles: Political Posters
Online exhibit of political posters from the former Soviet Union, Cuba, and China, with discussion of the role they played in the revolutionary history of each country. [To access the Dutch version of the site, click back to home.]
Other
Australian National University: International Socialism or State Capitalism
Examines socialism as it was carried out by Stalin and company in the former Soviet Union. Makes the argument that what began with a socialist revolution degenerated into state capitalism. There is one chapter from a book available...
AllRefer
All refer.com: East Germany: Foundation of the People's Police
This site describes the origin and transformation of former Nazi soldiers into East German police. Attempts to explain why it was created and Joseph Stalin's intent to control Eastern Europe.
Curated OER
Unprecedented Peril Forces Tough Calls
This Washington Post article from October 26, 2004 discusses some of the obstacles facing President George Bush in his efforts against nuclear threats from other nations, including the Middle East, North Korea, and nations of the former...