USH B: Collapse of the Soviet Union

Collapse of the Soviet Union

1985-1991

Students will be able to explain the key causes and events that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and evaluate how political reforms and public resistance weakened communist control in Eastern Europe.

Start

VOCABULARY

Revolution 🔥

INF Treaty ☢️✍️

Glasnost 🗣️

Perestroika 🔧

Cold War ❄️

Solidarity ✊

Berlin Wall 🧱

Nationalism 🇺🇳

Background the soviet union

• A large communist country made up of multiple republics
• Controlled Eastern Europe after WWII through influence and force
• Government controlled economy, media, and political life
• Citizens had limited rights and freedoms

key problems in the USSR

• Economy was inefficient and falling behind Western countries
• Frequent shortages of food and basic goods
• Government leaders were often corrupt and disconnected from citizens
• People had little say in government decisions

GORBACHEV COMES TO POWER 1985

• Mikhail Gorbachev becomes leader of the Soviet Union
• Recognizes the system is failing
• Wants to fix communism, not get rid of it
• Introduces reforms to modernize the country

Perestroika & Glasnot 1986

• Perestroika allowed limited private businesses and economic changes
• Glasnost allowed people to speak more freely and criticize the government
• Media became less controlled
• These reforms unintentionally weakened government control

Cold War tensions ease

• Geneva Summit (1985): First meeting between U.S. and USSR leaders
• Reykjavik Summit (1986): Serious discussions about reducing nuclear weapons
• INF Treaty (1987): Eliminated many nuclear missiles
• These events helped reduce fear and tension between the two superpowers

Eastern europe begins to resist 1988

Demand better working conditions and political rights

In Poland, workers organize under the Solidarity movement

Protests show people are no longer afraid to speak out

Communist governments begin losing control

poland's free elections june 1989

Marks the peaceful end of communism in Poland

first time in decades people can vote freely

Encourages other countries to push for change

solidarity wins most of the seats in government

revolutions spread 1989

• Protests break out across Eastern Europe
• East Germany citizens demand freedom and travel rights
• Czechoslovakia experiences peaceful protests (Velvet Revolution)
• Governments begin collapsing without Soviet intervention

"Mr. Gorbachev, open this gate! Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" -President Ronald Reagan June12, 1987

• The Berlin Wall had divided East and West Germany since 1961
• People begin crossing freely and tearing it down
• Symbolizes the end of communist control in Eastern Europe
• Leads to German reunification

fall of the berlin wall nov. 1989

soviet control weakens

• USSR chooses not to use military force to stop revolutions
• Eastern European countries become independent
• Communist governments collapse across the region
• Soviet Union is losing power internationally

russia breaks away

Pushes for democratic reforms and independence

Boris Yeltsin is elected President of the Russian Republic

Russia begins to separate from the USSR

Challenges the authority of Soviet leadership

final collapse 1991

• Several Soviet republics declare independence
• Economy is in crisis and government is unstable
• Failed coup attempt weakens communist leaders further
• Soviet Union officially dissolves in December 1991

IMPACT OF COLLAPSE

• Cold War ends after decades of tension
• United States becomes the world’s only superpower
• New independent countries form from former Soviet republics
• Shift toward democracy in many regions

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!!

the Solidarity were so large and organized that they inspired similar movements across Eastern Europe, showing people in other countries that change was actually possible.

the communist government was forced to negotiate with them—something almost unheard of—which showed they were starting to lose control over the country.

Solidarity didn’t just demand higher wages—they also pushed for the right to form independent unions and have a real voice in government, which was extremely rare in a communist country.

In 1988, the Solidarity movement used “occupation strikes,” where workers stayed inside factories and mines, making it nearly impossible for the government to stop protests without shutting down the entire economy.

Reform of the Soviet economy to make it more efficient

Policy allowing more openness and freedom of speech

Agreement between U.S. and USSR to reduce nuclear weapons

Overthrow of a government by the people

Polish labor movement opposing communism

Pride in one’s country and desire for independence

Symbol of division between East and West Germany

Political tension between U.S. and USSR (no direct fighting)