Collapse of the USSR - The end of the Cold War (incomplete)

Question 1

What four key challenges was the USSR facing in the late 20th century?

Answer 1

• Leadership issues
• Economic failures
• Cold war pressures
• Rise of Nationalism

Question 2

Discuss the USSR’s leadership issues as one of the key challenges they were facing.

Answer 2

After Khrushchev, things go South.
Frequent leadership changes and an ageing political elite led to a lack of coherent direction.

**Brezhnev Era (1964 – 1982): **
- stagnant and corrupt

Andropov and Chernenko (1982 – 1985):
- quick changeovers (instability), did nothing

Important:
Gorbachev (1985 – 1991):
Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in 1985 with a vision for significant reform. These reforms contributed to the collapse of the USSR.

Question 3

When did Gorbachev come into power and leave it?

Answer 3

1985, lasted until 1991 (fall of USSR)

Question 4

Discuss economic failures as a key challenge faced by the USSR in the late 20th century.

Answer 4

The Soviet economy was plagued by stagnation, inefficiency, technological lag, and consumer goods shortages:
- Command Economy Inefficiencies
- Overemphasised focus on Heavy Industry
- Consumer goods shortages
- Poor comparison to the West

Question 5

Give detail on the USSR’s economic failures.

Answer 5

Command Economy Inefficiencies:
- The centralised planning system was inefficient and unable to meet the needs of the population.

Heavy Industry Focus:
- Overemphasis on heavy industry and military spending neglected consumer goods and technological innovation.

Consumer Goods Shortages:
- The Soviet economy struggled to produce enough consumer goods, leading to widespread shortages.
- Agricultural production was poor

Comparison to the West:
- The USSR lagged behind Western economies in terms of productivity, innovation, and living standards
- Inadequate housing, poor public health care, high rates of alcoholism and a failing economy = demoralised public

Question 6

Discuss Cold War pressures as a key challenge faced by the USSR in the late 20th century.

Answer 6

Arms Race:
- The very very expensive arms race with the United States drained resources from other essential areas of the Soviet economy.

Afghanistan War:
- 1979 USSR invaded to support a newly elected pro-Soviet govt – being challenged by Mujaheddin (anti-communist Islamic fighters)
- Soviet army unable to crush the resistance – troops were dying, resources were being strained and
- Soviet morale dwindling
- Troops withdrawn in 1989

Diplomatic Isolation:
- The USSR faced diplomatic isolation and sanctions from Western countries, worsening its economic and political troubles.

Question 7

Discuss the Rise of Nationalism as a key challenge faced by the USSR in the late 20th century.

Answer 7

Ethnic Tensions:
- The USSR was a multi-ethnic state with significant internal ethnic tensions.
- Russian had replaced culture and language of other nationalities
- Russians held most top positions and most decision made in Moscow

Independence Movements:
- Eastern European countries and Soviet republics increasingly sought independence
- Feelings of nationalism esp. strong in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania

Impact on Unity:
- Nationalism weakened the unity of the USSR, as various regions sought greater autonomy or independence which the Soviet govt could not crush.

Question 8

Where does a lot of debate lie in the USSR’s collapse?

Answer 8

To what extent are Gorbachev’s reforms the cause of the collapse of the USSR?

Question 9

Describe Gorbachev’s situation as he comes into power.

Answer 9

• In 1985 - comes in as ‘the reform guy.’
• Recognised that there were major problems that required major changes
• Wanted to reform communist system
• Did not want to abandon communism nor dismantle USSR (trying to “save” communism).
• Arrogantly believed that Communist Party could control changes and rate of change - fatal mistake
• Reforms (NBNBNBNB) (must know Russian names):
  Glasnost (openness)
  Perestroika (restructuring)
  Demokratizatsiya (democratization)
• Withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan over a four year period

Question 10

What were Gorbachev’s reforms?

Answer 10

Glasnost (openness)
Perestroika (restructuring)
Demokratizatsiya (democratization)

Question 11

Discuss Glastnost as part of Gorbachev’s reforms.

Answer 11

• Means ‘openness’
• Aimed to increase govt transparency and reduce censorship
• Greater freedom of information: allowed more open discussion of political and social issues and increased govt transparency
• Reduction of Censorship: relaxation of media censorship enabled greater freedom of the press
• Public discussion: encouraged public debate on past mistakes, including govt corruption and historical injustice

Question 12

What was the impact of Glastnost on the USSR?

Answer 12

Impact on Soviet Society: led to increased criticism of the govt, social unrest and a rise in nationalist movements