Collapse of the Soviet Union and End of the Cold War

Overview

• Long-standing tension existed between the United States and the Soviet Union during the 20th century, known as the Cold War.
• In the 1980s, the Soviet Union collapsed unexpectedly.

Leonid Brezhnev's Era

• Leonid Brezhnev rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1964.
• He maintained the status quo, believing the Soviet Union was stable.
• Economic realities in the late 60s and 70s contradicted this view.
• The economy was stagnant, and life for Soviet citizens was worsening.

Economic Troubles

• Planned Economy:
  • The Soviet economy was a planned economy where the government made all decisions.
  • Required a huge bureaucracy, leading to inefficiency and waste.
• Worker Malaise:
  • No incentive for workers to excel, as communism was collective.
  • Innovation and hard work were discouraged.
• Crop Failures:
  • Early 70s crop failures worsened economic problems.
  • A 1972 drought led to increased food scarcity.
• Dependence on the US:
  • The Soviet Union bought $750 million worth of grain from the US on credit due to severe shortages.

Mikhail Gorbachev's Reforms

• Mikhail Gorbachev became leader in 1982 and introduced reforms.
• Gorbachev was a reformer who recognized the need for change.

Perestroika

• Economic restructuring aimed at introducing free market elements.
• Removal of government price controls and allowance for private property.
• Initial success but economy slowed again by 1988.

Glasnost

• Means "open." Allowed freedom of speech and political openness.
• More candidates could run for office; multiple political parties were legalized.
• Prisoners for political speech were released.
• Chernobyl disaster coverage in 1986 reflected new transparency.

Unintended Consequences

• Ethnic Tensions:
  • Reforms allowed ethnic tensions to surface, leading to protests and conflicts.
• Nationalism:
  • Nationalistic movements grew, e.g., in Georgia and Azerbaijan.
• Eastern Europe:
  • Gorbachev announced non-intervention in Eastern Bloc.
  • Revolts and changes in countries like Poland led to the fall of communism.

Key Events Leading to the Collapse

• Poland's 1989 Elections:
  • Solidarity, a labor party, challenged Soviet repression.
  • Free elections were allowed and communists were voted out.
• Fall of the Berlin Wall (1989):
  • Symbol of Soviet power crumbling, leading to German reunification.

Conclusion

• The Soviet Union officially dissolved in 1991, ending the Cold War.
• This led to capitalist economies and democratic governments in Eastern Europe.
• Significant political changes included the breakup of Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia, and the enlargement of the EU.