Soviet Union
Definition
The Soviet Union was a federal socialist state in Northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. It was nominally a union of multiple national Soviet republics; in practice its government and economy were highly centralized.
Analogy
The Soviet Union is like a large, strict school with many classrooms (republics). The principal (central government) has the final say on everything that happens within the school.
Related terms
Communism: A political theory derived from Karl Marx, advocating class war and leading to a society in which all property is publicly owned and each person works and is paid according to their abilities and needs.
Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union with its satellite states (the Eastern Bloc), and the United States with its allies (the Western Bloc) after World War II.
Glasnost: It was a policy that called for increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities in the Soviet Union.
"Soviet Union" appears in:
Study guides (4)
Practice Questions (11)
- What was the main goal of President Nixon's policy of détente with the Soviet Union?
- The Soviet Union responded to the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by:
- How did President Reagan's administration respond to tensions with the Soviet Union?
- What if Hitler had not invaded Soviet Union and kept peace with them instead?
- Which of the following factors most contributed to the continuation of Cold War tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union after World War II?
- Who was the leader of Soviet Union during the end of Cold war period in Reagan's presidency?
- How did President Reagan primarily attempt to counteract the Soviet Union during the Cold War?
- Which legislation marked the end of the arms race between the United States and the Soviet Union?
- What policy, introduced by President Reagan, aimed to pressure economically and militarily on Soviet Union during Cold War?
- What policy aimed at relaxing tensions with Soviet Union during the Cold War era ?
- Who was Soviet Union’s last leader before it dissolved ?
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