The Fall of the Soviet
Union
History’s Important?
Russian Revolution in
1917
Established a
communist state;
became totalitarian
Tried to create
unified, central state
where national and
ethic differences were
eliminated
Historical Problems in Russia
Non-Russian ethnic
groups resisted
assimilation
Economic planning
failed to meet the
needs of the State
(arms race with US)
Communism never
took root and lost
influence
Underlying Causes
Years of Soviet military
buildup at the expense of
domestic development
economic growth
stalled/stagnant economy
Failed attempts at reform
war in Afghanistan
general feeling of
discontent, especially in
the Baltic republics and
Eastern Europe (i.e.
Chernobyl)
Mikhail Gorbachev
March 11, 1985
Inherited many
problems; recognized
need for change (the
economy needed
fundamental reforms)
Introduced two-tiered
policy of reform to
meet the needs of the
Russian state
Policy #1: Glasnost
Freedom of speech
and free elections
1989 elections reformist politicians
swept into power
unwittingly unleashed
emotions and political
feelings that had been
pent up for decades
Pandora’s Box
Policy #2: Perestroika
Economic reform and
rebuilding (complete
economic restructuring)
did not have the
immediate results
Gorbachev had hoped for
and had publicly
predicted
Unsuccessful –
bureaucratic corruption
People used free speech
to criticize Gorbachev
Fall of the USSR
Disintegration began
on the peripheries
Baltic nationalist
movements;
demanded autonomy
challenge to glasnost
Non-Russian minority
groups agitated for
independence during
this period
Gorbachev’s Response
decision to not use
military force to put down
revolutions in Eastern
Europe
allowing revolutions to
run their course would
spell disaster for the
Soviet Union
Ultimately eroded the
power of the Soviet Union
during 1989 and 1990.
August Coup
August 1991 – “hardline” Communists take
over of government
last-ditch effort to save
USSR
country went into an
uproar; massive protests
soldiers themselves
rebelled – “can’t fire on
our countrymen”
Coup collapsed after 3
days
Results of August Coup
Gorbachev was unable to
reestablish real control
negotiated the transition of
power made inevitable by the
will of the people.
December 1, 1991 all nonRussian republics declared
independence (population
wanted democracy)
political movements which had
emerged since the
implementation of glasnost
resulted in immediate fall
Collapse of the Soviet Union
a new entity was formed
“Commonwealth of
Independent Republics"
Russia and 15 independent
former USSR countries
complete political
independence, linked to other
Commonwealth countries by
economic, and military ties
the Soviet Union, with its
centralized political and
economic system, had ceased
to exist
December, 1991
How does America fit in?
Russia built up a military
arsenal surpassing that of the
United States
enormous military expenses, in
combination with collectivized
agriculture and inefficient
manufacturing were a heavy
burden on the economy
Reagan Administration
persuaded Saudi Arabia to
increase oil production
resulted in a three times drop
of oil prices in 1985; oil was
the main source of Soviet
export revenues
President Ronald Reagan
recognized the change in
the direction of Soviet
leadership
shifted to diplomacy to
pursue substantial arms
agreements
four summit conferences
between 1985 and 1988
believed that he could
persuade the Soviets to
allow for more democracy
and free speech, this
would lead to reform and
the end of Communism
Berlin Wall
June 12, 1987, Reagan
challenged Gorbachev:
“General Secretary
Gorbachev, if you seek
peace, if you seek
prosperity for the Soviet
Union and Eastern
Europe, if you seek
liberalization: Come here
to this gate! Mr.
Gorbachev, open this
gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear
down this wall!”
Response in the West
victory for freedom
triumph of democracy
over totalitarianism,
superiority of capitalism
over socialism
Rejoicing - formidable
enemy was brought to its
knees
Relief – end of Cold War
which had hovered over
the two superpowers
Results of the Fall
transformed the entire
world political situation
reformulation of political,
economic and military
alliances
America sole military and
world hegemonic power
End of Cold War and
MAD threat