1. The Collapse of the Soviet Union
19.3
Gorbachev Moves
Towards Democracy
19.4
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
Democratic reforms in the Soviet Union lead to changes throughout Central and Eastern Europe.
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2. Gorbachev Moves Toward Democracy
Politburo—ruling committee of Communist Party
1984: Mikhail Gorbachev general secretary ; reforms
glasnost—openness
perestroika—economic restructuring
democratization—opening of political system; elections
Foreign policy: end arms race in treaty
The Soviet Union Faces Turmoil
Non-Russian ethnic groups rebel in different republics
1990: Lithuania declares independence
Gorbachev sends in troops—unpopular
Boris Yeltsin—president of Russian Republic—gains support
Old-time communists oppose both Gorbachev and Yeltsin
Stage a coup; fail
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3. Russia Under Boris Yeltsin
Collapse of the USSR
republics declare independence; form federation
CIS—Commonwealth of Independent States
Russia Under Boris Yeltsin
aims to reform the Russian economy
“shock therapy”—quick transition to free market
New policies bring economic hardship, political troubles
1991: Chechnya declares independence from Russia
attempts to crush rebellion, causes unrest
War breaks out again
1999: resigns, Vladimir Putin named president
Quashes rebellion in Chechnya
2008: Dmitry Medvedev named president
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4. Germany Reunifies
East Germany vs. West Germany; East Berlin vs. West Berlin
East Germany resists reforms in Eastern Europe
Thousands of East Germans escape through Hungary
East Germany closes borders; massive protests
November 1989: Berlin Wall opened
December 1989: Communist government collapses
October 1990: Reunification—merging of the two Germanys
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5. ←Europe, 1988
↓ Europe, 1992