1. The End of the Cold War
Soviets in Decline

2. Soviet Union Declines Severe Economic Problems
Collectivized agriculture was incredibly unproductive
Supply shortages and low-quality consumer goods
Inefficient command economy (consumer needs go unmet)

3. Soviet Union Declines Military Budget
Arms race put a strain on Soviet economy
War in Afghanistan damages moral and economy

4. Soviet Union Declines Soviet War with Afghanistan
During the Cold War, both sides competed for alliances
Soviets attempted to modernize Afghanistan, but instead many Afghanis felt their traditions were threatened.
Americans helped the Afghanis, whose mountain guerilla tactics resisted
the Soviets
Known as the Soviet Vietnam

5. Soviet Union Declines Government reform under Mikhail
Gorbachev (1980s)
Glasnost, or openness – ended censorship
Perestroika, or restructuring – introduced some market economy
Signals an end to
Communism and the
Cold War

6. Soviet Union Declines Empire Crumbles
Soviet reform actually damaged the economy more
Soviet Satellites broke away from the USSR
USSR falls in 1991
Redrew the world map –
Russia is the largest
country of the old
Soviet Union

7. Eastern European Nations Reform
Berlin Wall fell in 1989
and soon Germany
reunited
Poland, Hungary, Romania end Communist rule
Czechoslovakia ended Communism and then partitioned, or split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia (Self-Determination)

8. Communism Declines Around the World
China introduced some free market economy, and their economy boomed
Communist North Korea became isolated
United States emerged from the Cold War as the world’s sole superpower

9. Modern World
Predict/Discuss: How do you think the Cold War has led to modern-day conflict?