1. Aim: Describe Russia under Boris Yeltsin

2. End of Soviet Union
Gorbachev resigned as general secretary of the party
Communist Party now collapsed because of a coup that failed
Coup played a decisive rule in accelerating the breakup of the Soviet Union
Early December, all 15 republics had declared independence
Yeltsin met with leaders of other republics to chart a new course
Agreed to form the Commonwealth of Independent States or CIS
Loose federation of formers soviet territories
Christmas 1991: Gorbachev resigned as president of the Soviet Union 2

3. Russia Under Boris Yeltsin
As president of the large Russian Federation
Yeltsin was now the most powerful figure in the CIS
Faced many problems
One of Yeltsin’s goals was to reform the Russian economy
Adopted “Shock Therapy”
Shift to free market economics
Lowered trade barriers, removed price controls, & ended subsidies to state-owned industries
Results:
Prices soared, inflation rate averaged 800%,
Many factories cut production or shut down
1993: Most Russians economically suffered 3

4. Chechnya Rebels August 1996: 2 sides signed a cease-fire
War in Chechnya- Largely Muslim area in Southwestern Russia
1991: Chechnya declared its independence
1994: Yeltsin ordered 40,000 Russian troops into the breakaway republic
Russian forces reduced the capital city of Grozny
August 1996: 2 sides signed a cease-fire
Yeltsin won reelection
1999: As fighting raged, Yeltsin resigned
Vladimir Putin named acting president 4