Question of the Day Think about the meaning of this quote. “From each according to his abilities, to each according to his needs.” Karl Marx

Question of the Day Take out your notes. How would you define “communism”?

The Collapse of the Soviet Union and the End of the Cold War

Nicholas II The last of the Romanov dynasty, he was tsar until he was forced to abdicate in 1917. He and his family were massacred by the Bolsheviks in the summer of 1918.

Bolshevik Revolution October 1917 Revolution, lead by Vladimir Lenin He became the first communist leader of the U.S.S.R. (Soviet Union) Ruled until 1927 when he died. His body has been preserved and on display ever since in a mausoleum located on Red Square in Moscow

Joseph Stalin *Brutal Soviet dictator who ruled the USSR with an iron fist from 1928 until he died in 1953 *Five Year Plans – rapid industrialization and establishment of collective farms *Led the Soviet Union during World War II and the Cold War *Established USSR as second world power with nuclear weapons *Famines killed up to 10 M in the 1930s, another 20 M die during WWII *Approximately 14 M to gulags during his reign Iosif Vissarionovich Dzhugashvili Georgian, not Russian Gulag: A type of prison camp often used to house political prisoners, those who opposed the Soviet government. Prisoners were sent to these labor camps, which were often located in Siberia, with Arctic temperatures.

Nikita Khrushchev *Led Soviet Union from 1955-1964 Considered a liberal Soviet reformer, campaign of de-Stalinization *Leader during the Cuban Missile Crisis, the creation of the Soviet space program, the construction of the Berlin Wall Khrushchev gave a speech at the United Nations in New York City, where he declared, “We will bury you,” as he slammed his shoe on the podium. The “you” he was referring to was the West (America).

Factors Contributing to the Collapse Stalemated war in Afghanistan Long-term economic decline Growing resistance to heavy-handed policies of police states Mikhail Gorbachev

Why did Gorbachev try to change the Soviet Union? New economic thought Economy was weak Too much money on arms – arms race with the West Afghanistan Concerns about declining productivity and quality attitude of people towards work Disillusionment among the people was growing Distance decay The Soviet Union was too big The further away from the power center, the less control the central power has over a people.

Collapse of the Soviet Union *Military buildup had taken precedence over domestic affairs, leading to an economic standstill in the Soviet Union *The concepts of perestroika & glasnost also led to the eventual collapse of Soviet Union *unpopular war in Afghanistan *distance decay *The final collapse occurred in 1991, after years of Soviet Republics gaining their independence (began with Baltic republics)

Gorbachev’s Reforms Glasnost (openness) Called for an open debate on public policy Increasing civil rights Honesty in facing problems Perestroika (restructuring or reform of economy) Market forces are introduced After 60 years, it was no longer illegal to buy and sell for profit Privatization Government owned factories are turned over to citizens.

The Russian Federation was founded in 1991 Boris Yeltsin First elected president of Russia. Instituted privatization of many formerly government owned or led companies and organizations. The Russian Federation was founded in 1991

Vladimir Putin Current President of Russia - He has been either Prime Minister or President since 2000.