Download NEWL54FalloftheUSSR

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Détente: Cold War policy aimed at relaxing tensions between
the US and the USSR. Called for increase diplomatic and
commercial activity.
Politburo: Supreme policy making body of the Communist
party of the Soviet Union.
Mikhail Gorbachev: Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to
1991. His policies of Perestroika and Glasnost, which aimed at
revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of
communism.
Glasnost: Policy that called for more openness with the nations
of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry.
Perestroika: Policy to revitalize the Soviet economy by
opening it up to more free enterprise.
Boris Yeltsin: President of Russia. Eelected before the
breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Served until 1999 and was
instrumental in keeping a cout d'état from occurring which
would have returned hard line communists to power in Russia.
“shock therapy”: Yeltsin advocated a rapid transition from
state planning to a market economy while simultaneously
introducing democracy to Russia. “Shock therapy” caused
inflation and unemployment.
RISE AND FALL OF A
SUPERPOWER
After WWII, the Soviet Union was a superpower.
 Stalin still was firmly in control
 Pours money into industry, science, and military.
 Labor camps forced political prisoners to work for
their country.
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Gulag Work Camps
RISE AND FALL OF A
SUPERPOWER
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After Stalin died in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev became
the next communist head. He allowed more freedom.
Citizens enjoyed low rents, free health care, and
jobs for almost everyone.
In 1962, Khrushchev
nearly set off a war
when he sent missiles to
Cuba.
Nikita
Khrushchev and
Fidel Castro
RUSSIA EXPERIENCES ECONOMIC
CHANGE
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Mikhail Gorbachev
Man most responsible for collapse of the USSR
 1985: Becomes Soviet Premier
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Soviet Economy was on the verge of collapse
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1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to
power.
 Soviets gained new freedom. However,
new policies caused food and medicine
shortages.
 Reforms spark demand for democracy in
Eastern Europe. They also led Soviet
republics to seek independence.
Gorbachev Initiates Reform:
1) GLASNOST means Openness
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Political openness
More information to the people
“Free-er” Speech and Press
Open relationship with USA
2) Perestroika:
Restructuring of the Soviet economy
Allowed limited free enterprise and private
business (local and international)
3) Demokratizatsia
(1987) Russian policy of “democratization”
Could now elect which communist
party member would represent their Soviet
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4)In the late 1980’s Gorbachev helps Eastern
European Communist countries reform---It
leads to the collapse of communism in Poland,
Hungary, Romania and Czecholslovakia
5) FALL OF THE BERLIN WALL
November
1989:
 Berlin Wall is taken down
uniting communist/capitalist
“General
Secretary
Germany
Gorbachev, if you seek
peace, if you seek
prosperity for the Soviet
Union and Eastern Europe,
if you seek liberation:
Come here to this gate!
Mr. Gorbachev tear down
this wall.”
6) Germany was officially reunited
as democratic on October 3rd, 1990
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August 1991 to December 1991:
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Gorbachev stepped down as Soviet
Leader
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Boris Yeltsin becomes the first
democratic President of Russia
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He faced hard times. New nations had
to make peace among ethnic groups,
end food shortages, and set up trade.
In February, 1992, George Bush and Boris
Yeltsin signed a formal statement declaring
the Cold War at an end! (or was it. . . .)
FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION
Causes
•Leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev
•Openness to democratic ideas (Glasnost)
•Reshaping of economy and government (Perestroika)
•Economic problems
•Freedom movement in Eastern Europe
Effects
•Formation of the commonwealth of Independent States
•Loss of role as world superpower
•End of the Cold War
•Economic hardships
•Conflicts between pro-communist and pro-democratic groups
•Minority revolts and civil conflicts