1. The Collapse of the Soviet Union

2. Objectives Today we will be able to identify the events that led to the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991.

3. Mikhail Gorbachev Became leader in 1985 Ushered in policy of Glasnost  Glasnost means openness  Gorbachev’s strategy was to provide a climate of openness in speech and information which people would use to ultimately choose communism over other systems  People did not choose communism Perestroika was also initiated under Gorbachev  Perestroika – a restructuring of economics and politics  Economic – Free market reforms  Political – Open elections, time limitations on public office

4. The Breakup of the Warsaw Pact Breshnev Doctrine reformed  Breshnev Doctrine stated that any reform movements in the Soviet sphere of influence would be violently surpressed. Gorbachev - Eastern Europeans should choose their own paths

5. 1991 The official breakup of the Soviet Union The August Coup  Hardliners detained Gorbachev  The government sent in tanks  They refused to fight  Boris Yeltsin, leader of Russia, emerged and declared all actions of the Soviet Government illegal. Gorbachev resigned Eastern European nations began declaring independence. https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=Cvoa25IiUEo https://www.youtube.com/watch ?v=Cvoa25IiUEo