The Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union

Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union Joseph Stalin Joseph Stalin

Rise and Fall of Soviet Union Nikita Khrushchev takes over USSR in 1953 Nikita Khrushchev takes over USSR in 1953

Rise and Fall of Soviet Union Khrushchev pursues a policy of de-Stalinization where he freed political prisoners and eased censorship. Khrushchev pursues a policy of de-Stalinization where he freed political prisoners and eased censorship.

Rise and Fall of Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev takes control of Soviet Union Leonid Brezhnev takes control of Soviet Union - Suppresses dissidents who speak out against government

Rise and Fall of Soviet Union Successes of Soviet Union Successes of Soviet Union - Citizens of USSR enjoyed low rent, free health care, free day care, and unemployment was almost nonexistent

Rise and Fall of Soviet Union Problems of Soviet Union Problems of Soviet Union - Collective farms were not productive - Goods were inferior - Low output of goods

Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union Under Brezhnev, U.S. and Soviets attempted to reduce arms and create detente Under Brezhnev, U.S. and Soviets attempted to reduce arms and create detente

Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union Détente comes to an abrupt end when Soviets invade Afghanistan in 1979 Détente comes to an abrupt end when Soviets invade Afghanistan in 1979

Rise and Fall of the Soviet Union As fighting in Afghanistan dragged on Soviet economy stagnated morale in Soviet Union declined As fighting in Afghanistan dragged on Soviet economy stagnated morale in Soviet Union declined

Closure Explain three key features of Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union Explain three key features of Stalin’s rule in the Soviet Union How did Khrushchev change the Soviet Union after the death of Stalin? How did Khrushchev change the Soviet Union after the death of Stalin? Define the term Détente. Define the term Détente. Why did morale in the Soviet Union start to fade in 1979? Why did morale in the Soviet Union start to fade in 1979?

Fall of the Soviet Union

Focus 4/28 In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in the Soviet Union. Gorbachev restructured the failing Soviet economy in a process called perestroika. He also called for glasnost or openness. This policy ended censorship and encouraged people to openly discuss the problems of the Soviet Union. Point for Discussion: Why was the Soviet economy failing? Term to Know: Perestroika Term to Know: Perestroika Critical Lens: Gorbachev believed his policies would win him the support of the common people. Critical Lens: Gorbachev believed his policies would win him the support of the common people.

Fall of the Soviet Union 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power in Soviet Union 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev comes to power in Soviet Union

Fall of Soviet Union Gorbachev seeks to end Cold War Tension Gorbachev seeks to end Cold War Tension - Signs arms control treaties - Pulls troops out of Afghanistan - Call for GLASNOST or openness - Restructures Soviet government and economy under PERESTROIKA

Fall of the Soviet Union Perestroika Perestroika - Backs some free market ideas - Allows farmers more land - Starts to produce consumer goods

Fall of Soviet Union Rapid changes brought economic turmoil Rapid changes brought economic turmoil - Prices soared - Factories closed - Unemployment rose - Glasnost caused unrest in multinational Soviet empire

Fall of the Soviet Union Baltic Republics of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia all declared independence Baltic Republics of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia all declared independence

Fall of Soviet Union Eastern European countries like East Germany and Poland broke away from Soviet Union Eastern European countries like East Germany and Poland broke away from Soviet Union

Fall of Soviet Union 1991 – attempted coup by communist hardliners drive Gorbachev from power and Soviet Union ceased to exist 1991 – attempted coup by communist hardliners drive Gorbachev from power and Soviet Union ceased to exist

Fall of Soviet Union Boris Yeltsin takes over Russia Boris Yeltsin takes over Russia - Crushes Chechnya revolt in South - Privatizes state run industries and collective farms - Reduces nuclear stockpile

Fall of the Soviet Union