The Fall of the Soviet Union

Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 7 Satellite Countries: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, East Germany, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia Eastern Bloc Union of Soviet Socialist Republics 15 Republics: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan

History’s Important Russian Revolution in 1917 Established a communist state; became totalitarian Tried to create unified, central state where national and ethic differences were eliminated

Historical Problems in Russia Non-Russian ethnic groups resisted assimilation Economic planning failed to meet the needs of the State (arms race with US) Communism never took root and lost influence

Underlying Causes Years of Soviet military buildup at the expense of domestic development Economic growth stalled/stagnant economy Failed attempts at reform General feeling of discontent, especially in the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe (i.e. Chernobyl)

Why did the USSR Collapse? A massive, home-grown insurgency, led by a number of different participants, contributed to the collapse: Workers Dissident intellectuals Advocates of national self-determination Reformers

Czechoslovakia fights USSR The Brezhnev Doctrine was articulated in 1968 when the Soviet army occupied Czechoslovakia to end the Prague Spring, an attempt by Alexander Dubcek to build “socialism with a human face.”

Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan In 1978, the USSR invaded Afghanistan after feeling that the soviet- friendly Afghan government was under attack by rebel forces. It became the USSR’s Vietnam, a long war with no clear victory possible and many casualties and high costs. The US supported the Afghani rebels known as the mujahedeen. In 1989 the Soviets finally withdrew. Islamic extremists used the opportunity to take over the country. The defeat weakened the Soviet’s economy and morale. Mujahedeen celebrate the downing of a Soviet helicopter

Nixon and Communism Détente- the easing of hostility or strained relations, especially between countries. Nixon visits communist China!! Nixon visits Moscow, Russia! Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty Détente- Nixon’s policy aimed at easing Cold War tensions Nixon visits communist China!! Opened diplomatic and economic relations Pursued rapprochement (renewal of friendly relations) with China Nixon visits Moscow, Russia! He signs the SALT I treaty Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty

Chernobyl

Mikhail Gorbachev March 11, 1985 Inherited many problems; recognized need for change (the economy needed fundamental reforms) Introduced two-tiered policy of reform to meet the needs of the Russian state

Policy #1: Glasnost Freedom of speech and free elections 1989 elections - reformist politicians swept into power unwittingly unleashed emotions and political feelings that had been pent up for decades Pandora’s Box

Policy #2: Perestroika Economic reform and rebuilding (complete economic restructuring) did not have the immediate results Gorbachev had hoped for and had publicly predicted Unsuccessful – bureaucratic corruption People used free speech to criticize Gorbachev

Berlin Wall June 12, 1987, Reagan challenged Gorbachev: “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberalization: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!”

Fall of the USSR Disintegration began on the peripheries Baltic nationalist movements; demanded autonomy Lithuania 1990 challenge to glasnost Non-Russian minority groups agitated for independence during this period

The Rise of Nationalism With the iron grip of the centralized Soviet state relaxed and the growing failure of the state to adequately feed and clothe its people, nationalism in the republics surged and separatist movements threatened the very existence of the Soviet Union. Moldova: The hot, angry face of nationalism - Apr 13, 2009

August Coup August 1991 – “hard-line” Communists take over government last-ditch effort to save USSR country went into an uproar; massive protests soldiers themselves rebelled – “can’t fire on our countrymen” Coup collapsed after 3 days

Results of August Coup Gorbachev was unable to reestablish real control negotiated the transition of power made inevitable by the will of the people. December 1, 1991 all non-Russian republics declared independence (population wanted democracy) political movements which had emerged since the implementation of glasnost resulted in immediate fall

The Wall Came Down Finally, on the night of November 9, 1989, ordinary Germans poured through the Berlin Wall. The GDR quickly disintegrated, and by the end of 1990, all of East Germany had been incorporated into the wealthy, powerful Federal Republic of Germany.

Collapse of the Soviet Union a new entity was formed “Commonwealth of Independent States" [CIS] Russia and 15 independent former USSR countries complete political independence, linked to other Commonwealth countries by economic, and military ties the Soviet Union, with its centralized political and economic system, had ceased to exist December, 1991

Boris Yeltsin Boris Yeltsin, who headed the Russian Republic, replaced Gorbachev as president of a much- diminished state. Issues arise: Shock therapy Chechnya

President Ronald Reagan recognized the change in the direction of Soviet leadership shifted to diplomacy to pursue substantial arms agreements four summit conferences between 1985 and 1988 believed that he could persuade the Soviets to allow for more democracy and free speech, this would lead to reform and the end of Communism

Response in the West victory for freedom triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, superiority of capitalism over socialism Rejoicing - formidable enemy was brought to its knees Relief – end of Cold War which had hovered over the two superpowers

The End of the Cold War The Cold War was over, brought to a close not by the missiles and tanks of the principal participants, but by the collective courage and willpower of ordinary men and women.

Results of the Fall transformed the entire world political situation reformulation of political, economic and military alliances America sole military and world hegemonic power End of Cold War and MAD threat