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Fall of Soviet Union
The Soviet Union faced numerous internal problems that contributed to its collapse, including nationalism and ethnic diversity with over 100 ethnic groups within its borders, worker morale declined as shortages increased standard of living, and Gorbachev's reforms of glasnost and perestroika opened up criticism of the government and decentralization but did not do enough to solve economic issues. An attempted coup by communist hardliners in 1991 failed when people resisted, and soon after the Soviet Union dissolved into 15 independent republics, bringing an end to 74 years of Soviet rule.
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Highlights ethnic groups and challenges uniting under nationalism over communism.
Discusses poor worker morale due to low wages, food shortages, and rising social issues.
Introduces Glasnost allowing free expression and criticism of the government.
Explains Perestroika's reforms promoting private property and local business control.
Illustrates cultural impact with the introduction of McDonald's in Moscow.
Explores the financial impacts of the arms race and costs of conflicts on the USSR.
Details the attempted coup against Gorbachev by hard-liners and its implications.
Discusses Boris Yeltsin's leadership and public resistance during the coup attempt.
Reiterates the failure of the coup which led to the USSR’s eventual dissolution.
Analyzes how Gorbachev's reforms contributed to his leadership decline and the USSR's fall.
Describes the resignation of Gorbachev and the end of the Soviet Union after 74 years.
Further emphasizes the dissolution of the Soviet Union and its impact globally.
Describes the formation of the CIS following the USSR's collapse.
Discusses the formation of the EU from the European Economic Community.
Highlights the difficulties faced during the transition from communism.
Raises questions about the lasting impacts of communism post-USSR.
Reiterates the complexities and struggles of transitioning from a communist regime.
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Fall of Soviet Union
- 2. Numerous ethnic groups– languages, customs, religions. Only half of 285 million were Russian Difficult to unite into one nation without fear or force Nationalism was stronger than communism – people wanted to rule themselves Long Term Reasons: Internal Problems NATIONALISM AND ETHNIC DIVERSITY
- 3. WORKER MORALE Lack ofmotivation to produce quality goods Workers were not given enough to buy basic goods Many workers became alcoholics – crime rate increased Mortality rate, divorce rate, inflation, corruption increased Standard of living declined Workers were now allowed to criticize the government FOOD SHORTAGES Economic reforms were not enough – 1990 rationing Food was scarce and prices were too high Long lines for simple goods Riots broke out Mass poverty existed Began import of grain from US and Canada Long Term Reasons: Internal Problems
- 4. Glasnost Glasnost means Openness. •It allowed free flow of ideas, no censorship • Religious freedom • Public criticism of gov’t • Contested elections (secret ballots) • Release of political prisoners • Books freely printed “Socialism with a Human Face” Short Term Reasons: Internal Problems
- 5. PERESTROIKA Allowed the following: •Some private property • Some small business – profits • Some Free trade • Local managers more control and authority over farms and factories Film Decentralization of economic control Means Restructuring
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- 7. •Arms Race wastoo costly •Conflicts were costly (Afghanistan 1979) •Total employment – no goods •National healthcare – poor coverage •Pressure from Pope John Paul II and Ronald Reagan “Evil Empire” – Star Wars plan COST OF THE WAR GLOBAL PRESSURE
- 8. ATTEMPTED COUP - Highlevel officials (communist hard-liners) wanted Gorbachev to resign in 1991 - He refused – the group staged a coup in Moscow by placing Gorbachev under house arrest and sent tanks into Moscow to seize control. Attempted Coup
- 9. • Boris Yeltsincalled to the people to resist the coup and gained the support of the military • The Coup was foiled and the USSR soon split into 15 republics – the CIS Attempted Coup
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- 11. How did Gorbachev’spolicies eventually lead to the downfall of his own leadership and the Soviet Union
- 12. End of the Soviet Union Gorbachevwas forced to resign. He was the leader of a country that no longer existed. After 74 years, the Soviet Union had collapsed. The Cold War was over. Gorbachev was forced to resign. He was the leader of a country that no longer existed. After 74 years, the Soviet Union had collapsed. The Cold War was over.
- 13. End of theSoviet Union
- 14. Commonwealth of IndependentStates (CIS)
- 15. 1. European EconomicCommunity: Economic unity – reduced tariffs, free movement of labor and investments 2. 1993 – Becomes European Union (EU) 1. European Economic Community: Economic unity – reduced tariffs, free movement of labor and investments 2. 1993 – Becomes European Union (EU) Post Cold War
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Editor's Notes
- #5 Its goals included combating corruption and the abuse of privilege by the political classes The main aim of this policy was to make the country's management transparent and open to debate Through reviewing the past or current mistakes being made, it was hoped that the Soviet people would back reforms such as perestroika.