Europe and Russia Part 5 The Fall of Communism and Relations With the U. S.

The Fall of Communism During the Cold War, the Soviet Union had spent vast sums of money to keep up with the U.S.A. However, by the 1980s, they were bankrupting their country. In 1983, President Reagan, a staunch anti-communist, proposed a missile defense system called the “Strategic Defense Initiative” – nicknamed “Star Wars”.

President Reagan addressing the American people in March President Reagan addressing the American people in March 1983.

This system, would have cost us billions of dollars to create. However, if successful, would have acted like an “umbrella” over the U. S. and our allies, shielding us from incoming missiles. Some historians have argued that Reagan’s determination to build such a system may have caused the Soviet Union and specifically, Mikhail Gorbachev to be more open to negotiations limiting weapons.

Mikhail Gorbachev Upon becoming the Soviet leader in March of 1985, Gorbachev promoted his ideas of GLASNOST which meant “openness”, and PERESTROIKA which meant “economic reform”. Upon becoming the Soviet leader in March of 1985, Gorbachev promoted his ideas of GLASNOST which meant “openness”, and PERESTROIKA which meant “economic reform”.

Ronald Reagan & Mikhail Gorbachev

President Reagan and his famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, June 1987 President Reagan and his famous “Tear Down This Wall” speech, June 1987

By the late 1980s, many people in the Soviet Union and the nations of Eastern Europe were demanding change. When the new Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, rose to power in 1985, he allowed more freedom and openness that had not existed for decades. Some nations decided to test these new freedoms, and began to push for reforms in their homelands. It was AMAZING!!! After over 4 decades of heated tension, the Cold War was “thawing”.

1989 Was the Key Year When Communism Began to Collapse.

1989 Was a Momentous Year!!! Most historians don’t believe that Gorbachev thought the changes would take place so soon. Starting in the spring of that year, many eastern European nations started to change their governments, all relatively bloodless, except for in Romania. Hungary even allowed East German refugees to go through their border and into Austria.

In November, the East German government eased border restrictions, and people began pouring over to the West where they were greeted excitedly. The two Germanys were officially reunited on October 3, REMEMBER: Communism and socialism have always failed wherever they have been tried. People will eventually revolt under tyrannical rule.

On November 9, 1989, border rules eased. On November 9, 1989, border rules eased. The Berlin Wall fell, and freedom spread. The Berlin Wall fell, and freedom spread.

Russian Issues Mikhail Gorbachev’s leadership brought some unintended consequences to the former Soviet Union. Many Russians were excited for the new freedoms, but many in the military and other high government positions were horrified by some of the changes that he allowed.

Mikhail Gorbachev Under his leadership from 1985 until 1991, Communism collapsed in Eastern Europe, and the Soviet Union fell apart.

His economic reforms didn’t work out as planned. 1 out 5 jobs had been tied to their giant military. His economic reforms didn’t work out as planned. 1 out 5 jobs had been tied to their giant military. Now millions of people were out of work, and there were also basic food shortages. Now millions of people were out of work, and there were also basic food shortages. After all of the reforms and changes that took place in Eastern European countries during 1989 and 1990, many of the republics in the Soviet Union now wanted to be free of Russian control. After all of the reforms and changes that took place in Eastern European countries during 1989 and 1990, many of the republics in the Soviet Union now wanted to be free of Russian control.

In 1991, they began trying to break away from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In 1991, they began trying to break away from the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. In August 1991, Gorbachev survived a military COUP, when a group of die-hard Communists tried to strengthen control of the government. In August 1991, Gorbachev survived a military COUP, when a group of die-hard Communists tried to strengthen control of the government. Between August 21 st and September 22 nd, 14 of the 15 republics declared their independence from the Soviet Union that had been formed in Between August 21 st and September 22 nd, 14 of the 15 republics declared their independence from the Soviet Union that had been formed in 1922.

Tanks in Red Square, August 1991

People protesting the August 1991 coup attempt People protesting the August 1991 coup attempt

On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev announced his resignation as Soviet leader, and on the following day, December 26, the Soviet Union officially dissolved. On December 27, Boris Yeltsin became the new leader of the Russian republic. Eleven of the former republics created an organization called the Commonwealth of Independent States, which in the words of some leaders allowed a “civilized divorce” for the Soviet Union. They work together on things like economics and defense.

The Hammer and Sickle flag gave way to the old Russian flag.

A very heavy drinker, Boris Yeltsin was the Russian president from He died in 2007.

Freedom was great for many people, but a lot of corruption occurred in the years following the break up of the Soviet Union. Crime has also become a huge problem. Freedom was great for many people, but a lot of corruption occurred in the years following the break up of the Soviet Union. Crime has also become a huge problem. Some Russians are prosperous, while others live in terrible poverty, causing some people to even wish for the old days of Communist rule! Some Russians are prosperous, while others live in terrible poverty, causing some people to even wish for the old days of Communist rule! There also remains a deep suspicion of the West. There also remains a deep suspicion of the West.

Some Russian leaders like Vladimir Putin are not happy that the U. S. has gotten involved with Eastern European nations in building a missile defense system, and that former Communist countries have joined NATO. Some Russian leaders like Vladimir Putin are not happy that the U. S. has gotten involved with Eastern European nations in building a missile defense system, and that former Communist countries have joined NATO.

NATO – North Atlantic Treaty Organization Blue = Member Light Blue = Accepted Member Green = Promised Invitation Light Green = Intensified Dialogue Red = Membership Not a Goal Gray = Undeclared Intent

Russia is a major source of energy to European countries. Will they use this as leverage to get what they want?

A New Cold War? A New Cold War? Some people fear that a new Cold War might develop, which would be disastrous considering the many costs of the last one. Some people fear that a new Cold War might develop, which would be disastrous considering the many costs of the last one. Many Eastern European countries and former Soviet Republics still have a fear of Russia. Many Eastern European countries and former Soviet Republics still have a fear of Russia. Russia has also tried flexing its muscles in the Arctic region of the world, trying to lay claim to the resources found there. Russia has also tried flexing its muscles in the Arctic region of the world, trying to lay claim to the resources found there. Countries such as the U. S. and Canada definitely have something to say about that. Countries such as the U. S. and Canada definitely have something to say about that.

In 2008, the Russian military attacked Georgia over the territory known as South Ossetia.

The U. S. definitely does not want to go back to having bad relations with Russia. The U. S. definitely does not want to go back to having bad relations with Russia. However, they have sometimes tried to undermine our foreign policy objectives, including those in Iraq and Iran. However, they have sometimes tried to undermine our foreign policy objectives, including those in Iraq and Iran. They are rich in resources we could trade for. They are rich in resources we could trade for. Plus, as China continues to grow and become a rival in the Pacific, maintaining good relations with a large country like Russia is a priority. Plus, as China continues to grow and become a rival in the Pacific, maintaining good relations with a large country like Russia is a priority.

Despite the communist collapse, the U. S. is watching Russia. Another worry, is what happened to all of the Soviet nuclear scientists after the Cold War, and all those warheads?

What Might the Future Hold? Many of the Eastern European countries maintain a great affection for the U. S. Many of the Eastern European countries maintain a great affection for the U. S. They remember what it was like to be under the control of the Communists. They remember what it was like to be under the control of the Communists. We are still aligned with many of the Western European countries, but we sometimes find ourselves at odds with each other. We are still aligned with many of the Western European countries, but we sometimes find ourselves at odds with each other. Some resent our power and influence. Some resent our power and influence.

People under age 65 have little to no recollection of World War II or its aftermath. People under age 65 have little to no recollection of World War II or its aftermath. Most people under the age of 30 also have little to no recollection of the Cold War. Most people under the age of 30 also have little to no recollection of the Cold War. Protected by the U. S. military, Western European nations were able to spend much of their money elsewhere, building a comfortable lifestyle for themselves. Protected by the U. S. military, Western European nations were able to spend much of their money elsewhere, building a comfortable lifestyle for themselves. As the threat of terrorism (especially Islamic terrorism) spreads, it will be interesting to see how they respond. As the threat of terrorism (especially Islamic terrorism) spreads, it will be interesting to see how they respond.