key term - Collapse of the USSR

Definition

The Collapse of the USSR refers to the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, leading to its dissolution into 15 independent republics. This event marked the end of a significant era in global politics, concluding the Cold War and transforming international relations by diminishing the influence of communism and altering the geopolitical landscape of Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Collapse of the USSR was officially declared on December 26, 1991, when the Supreme Soviet voted to dissolve the Soviet Union.
2. The failure of Gorbachev's reforms, including Glasnost and Perestroika, contributed significantly to rising discontent among various ethnic groups and political factions within the USSR.
3. The August Coup in 1991 was an attempted coup d'état against Gorbachev that ultimately failed, further weakening central authority and accelerating calls for independence among Soviet republics.
4. The economic struggles faced by the Soviet Union during the late 1980s, including shortages and inflation, played a crucial role in fueling public dissatisfaction and nationalistic movements.
5. The aftermath of the collapse led to significant political and economic changes in former Soviet states, with many transitioning towards market economies and varying degrees of democracy.

Review Questions

• How did Gorbachev's policies contribute to the events leading up to the collapse of the USSR?
  • Gorbachev's policies of Glasnost and Perestroika aimed at reforming the Soviet system but inadvertently exposed deep-seated issues within the government and economy. Glasnost encouraged public discourse about grievances, which fueled nationalistic movements among various republics seeking independence. Meanwhile, Perestroika's attempts to restructure the economy faced resistance, leading to dissatisfaction and unrest among citizens as they struggled with shortages and inflation.
• What role did nationalistic movements within Soviet republics play in the collapse of the USSR?
  • Nationalistic movements were pivotal in accelerating the collapse of the USSR as various republics sought greater autonomy and independence. The desire for self-determination became increasingly pronounced following Gorbachev’s policies that allowed for more open political discourse. As republics like Ukraine, Lithuania, and Latvia declared independence, it undermined central authority, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union as a unified state.
• Evaluate how the collapse of the USSR transformed global politics and affected international relations in subsequent years.
  • The collapse of the USSR fundamentally altered global politics by ending decades of bipolarity characterized by U.S.-Soviet rivalry during the Cold War. It led to a shift towards unipolarity with the United States emerging as the sole superpower, influencing global economic policies and military alliances such as NATO. Additionally, former Soviet states transitioned towards market-oriented economies and democratic governance, fostering new geopolitical dynamics in Eastern Europe and Central Asia while also presenting challenges such as ethnic conflicts and authoritarian regimes in some regions.

Related terms

Glasnost:

A policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev that promoted openness and transparency in government, allowing for greater freedom of expression and reduced censorship in the Soviet Union.

Perestroika:

An economic and political reform initiated by Gorbachev aimed at restructuring the Soviet economy, shifting from a command economy to a more market-oriented system.

Boris Yeltsin:

The first President of the Russian Federation after the fall of the Soviet Union, he played a key role in promoting democratic reforms and transitioning Russia from a communist system.