The Fall of the Soviet Union

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 war in Afghanistan general feeling of discontent, especially in the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe (i.e. 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

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

Gorbachev’s Response decision to not use military force to put down revolutions in Eastern Europe allowing revolutions to run their course would spell disaster for the Soviet Union Ultimately eroded the power of the Soviet Union during 1989 and 1990.

August Coup August 1991 – “hard-line” Communists take over of 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

Collapse of the Soviet Union a new entity was formed “Commonwealth of Independent Republics" 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

How does America fit in? Russia built up a military arsenal surpassing that of the United States enormous military expenses, in combination with collectivized agriculture and inefficient manufacturing were a heavy burden on the economy Reagan Administration persuaded Saudi Arabia to increase oil production resulted in a three times drop of oil prices in 1985; oil was the main source of Soviet export revenues

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

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!”

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

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