The Fall of the Soviet Union Christmas Day, 1991

Initial Goals Soviet Union established in 1918: Unite disparate people; Centralize Economy; Centralize Government. Initial Goals

Problems Non-Russian ethnic groups Economic Failure- Arms and Military Buildup strained economy Totalitarian Government Problems

“…that much of what happened to the Soviet Union did so because freedom had been disregarded, scorned and neglected. One of the main aims of the October Revolution had been freedom, and yet its victory did not free the people. Freedom can exist only in conditions of real democracy.” Stalin Triumph and Tragedy, Dmitri Volkogonov, page 551 Soviet Indictment

The USSR represented the union of 15 different republics that joined together in one nation. The government and economy of these republics was highly centralized and controlled in Moscow. Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) USSR

In addition, after WWII, there were a number of countries in Eastern Europe whose governments supported the policies of the USSR. These countries were called satellites of the USSR. Satellites

Google Image Result for http://users. erols Google Image Result for http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/images/ ussr1950.gif Soviet Satellites: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_were_th e_USSR%27s_satellite_nations Russia 1900-1990

As the 1970’s ended, it seemed that the US and the western powers were facing numerous challenges. Chief among these were the economic problems facing the US and England. Cold War

1980’s: A decade of Recovery Major change in Economic Policy (Starting in 1978 with a new Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volker) Election Of Reagan in 1980: Supply Side Revolution: reduce taxes and regulation and the economy will take off Led to 25 year Economic Improvement 1980’s: A decade of Recovery

Similar changes were taking place in England with the election of Margaret Thatcher as Prime Minister in 1978 A move toward conservative government in the west England

In addition to economic recovery, President Reagan also stepped up the arms race. The USSR, in order to keep up, had to significantly increase its spending on military weapons and systems. Challenges to the USSR

Afghan War (Dec 1979 to Feb 1989) Soviet troops fight Afghans, who are supported by a wide variety of countries, including the US. Major US support goes to the Mujahidden (now our enemy in Afgahistan). Economic Stagnation Political Unrest threough much of Eastern Europe (Solidarity in Poland) March 11, Mikhail Gorbachev takes over 1985

Gorbachev was a different leader than the USSR had previously had Gorbachev was a different leader than the USSR had previously had. He fully understood the problems that the USSR faced at the time. When asked about farming in the country, consider Gorbachev’s response in this passage from The End of the Cold War by Robert Service page 111: ““Everyone always says that everything’s going well, but that’s wrong. In fact agriculture is a disaster across the whole USSR.” Taken aback, Chernenko asked “Since when?” Gorbachev, unabashed, responded: “Since 1917”. Gorbachev

Gorbachev

Two Tiered Approach Glasnost Perestroika Freedom of speech Economic reform or rebuilding Two Tiered Approach

Dilemma Freedom of speech is easy and quick to grant and accomplish; Economic reform is slow and painful; corruption and entrenched bureaucracy are more difficult to change. Citizens used free speech to complain about the lack of economic improvement. Dilemma

YouTube - The Collapse of the Soviet Union End of the Line

Challenges Republics start to demand autonomy from the Soviet Union Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania Armenia, Georgia, Ukraine, Meldova, Byelorussia Challenges

Gorbachev decides not to use force to put down the protests; Unlike previous challenges to state in Hungary or Czechoslovakia Response

Coup D'état Gorbachev kidnapped August 1991; “Too sick to lead”; Massive protests; Military sides with people, not with coup leaders; Coup collapses within 3 days. Coup D'état

Collapse Gorbachev realizes he could no longer lead; Dec 25, 1991 he resigns; Jan 1992, Soviet Union ceases to exist Collapse

WHY? What explanations do you have for why the USSR failed? Economic Problems Arms Race US Intervention Increased Flow of Information What can we learn from the fall of the USSR? How can you relate this to the on-going problems the world faces today? WHY?

Google Image Result for http://users. erols Google Image Result for http://users.erols.com/mwhite28/images/ ussr1950.gif Soviet Union Collapse

Commonwealth of Independent Republics Countries linked by: economic and military ties, BUT Complete political independence Commonwealth of Independent Republics

There still remain disputes over territory (Soviet aggression in Crimea and Ukraine) And Economic and Social problems remain What indicators would you look at to see how well Russia is doing? CIA - The World Factbook -- Russia Problems

“Christmas Presents”

What benefits (presents) would the US and the world see from the end of the Cold War? “Peace Dividend”- reduced military spending Economic Benefit Change focus of decision making: How do you think this changes things for the US? End of Cold War