The collapse of communism Shannon and Kayla

When and What Happened? 1989 - 1991 Starts with collapse of Berlin Wall Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia start revolting Many other smaller countries in Europe rebel as well Gorbachev implements new policies for USSR Soviet Union collapses and disintegrated into 15 separate countries Yeltsin comes into power

Why Did it Happen? Independence Freedom Democratic system

Where Did It Happen? Started in Poland with the Solidarity movement. It then moved to Hungary, Germany, and Czechoslovakia Continued with all “satellite” countries in the USSR Eastern, Western, and Central Europe

Main Countries Involved The map shows the general area.

Who Was Involved? Mikhail Gorbachev Boris Yelstin

Mikhail Gorbachev Born in March of 1931 to a Russian – Ukrainian family. 7th and last leader of the Soviet Union:1985 - 1991. Graduated from Moscow State University in 1955 with a degree in law Member of the Communist Party Central Committee in 1971 “Poland back to the Poles and Czechoslovakia back to the Czechs and Slovaks” Implemented Glasnost (political) and Perestrokia (social) changes Won Nobel Peace Prize

Boris Yelstin Born in February of 1931 in Butka, Russia Appointed to Central Committee by Gorbachev in 1981 Was the first President of the Russian Federation:1991 - 1999 Studied at Ural State Technical University, career in the construction industry Eliminated the CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union) Bridged gap between USSR and Modern Day Russia

Comparison Give power back to the people Mikhail Gorbachev Boris Yelstin Give power back to the people People adored him, but the communist party didn’t Wanted the USSR to become a more prosperous nation Ended communism Joined NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) Started democracy in the Russian Federation

Video Clip This video clip highlights Mikhail Gorbachev’s resignation, the lowering of the Communist flag over top of the Kremlin, and Boris Yelstin’s coming into power.

Video Clip Gorbachev resigns and Yelstin takes over as first President of the Russian Federation. Communist flag was lowered for the first and last time on December 25, 1991 Yelstin walks out of a Communist conference leaving people speechless

Timeline Leading to the Fall of Communism

Defining Moments of Historical Significance The fall of the Berlin wall was immediately noticed at the time as having significance because the wall its self was the main symbol of communism therefore when it fell... So did communism. Together people came and celebrate it’s fall, taking chips out of the wall, breaking and destroying what they could and the fire department helped take down a section of the wall that was previously a border crossing between east and west Germany.

Video Clip The Berlin wall was a barrier constructed by the German Democratic Republic starting on August 13,1961, that completely cut off West Berlin from surrounding East Germany and from East Berlin. The barrier included guard towers placed along large concrete walls which circumscribed a wide area that contained anti- vehicle trenches and other defenses.

Defining Moments of Historical Significance The collapse of communism resulted in dramatic changes in people’s lives because there was an increase in economical, political, and social power. Small business owners got their businesses back Gained the right to strike for better wages and working conditions Power of voting in a democratic society Allowed to speak freely

Stalin’s statue being carted away Joseph Stalin was Russia’s leader during WWII

Defining Moments of Historical Significance On the other hand as the future has progressed in Russia, they appear to be a democratic society, but underneath that facade there are still communist aspects with Vladimir Putin’s presidency. Putin is part of the secret police called the KGB The Kremlin has a tight hold in Russian TV broadcasts and newspaper publishing Putin is considering cutting off all internet access during any military or protest crisis

Video Clip This video is explaining what aspect of communism are still lying underneath the surface of Putin’s words and actions.

Works Cited Harding, Luke. Putin Considers Plan to Unplug Russia from the Internet In an Emergency. The Guardian. September 19, 2014. Web. September 23, 2014. History.com Staff. Fall of the Soviet Union. History, 2011. Web. September 24, 2014. N.A. Boris Yeltsin Biography. Bio, 2014. Web. September 23, 2014. N.A. Milestones: 1989-1992. U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian. October, 31, 2013. Web. September 23, 2014.