What explains the fall of the USSR? 1985-1991 Flashcards
(35 cards)
What was the USSR’s economy like in the 1980’s?
In a worrying, accelerating decline
What was the Novosibirsk report? And what was the Politburo’s reaction to it? (1983)
It highlighted the economies poor state.
They chose to ignore it
What was some of Gorbachev’s initial reform?
Reshuffled ageing Politburo (removing rivals such as Romanov, replacing with reformists)
An anti-alcoholism campaign
An anti-corruption campaign
What happened in the Twelfth Five Year Plan? (1986-90)
Increased investment on science and research (to improve technology
Did not work well, too many opposing it in superministries (which were set up to complete the plan) - plus due to reoccurring issues in the USSR
What was Perestrokia? (1987)
Means restructuring. Gave the command economy more flexibility - introducing market mechanisms
Features of Perestrokia? (1987)
Foreign firms could establish business
Wage and price flexibilities
Cooperatives legalised
Impact of Perestrokia? (1987)
Food production 1% increase (still relied on imports)
Cooperatives became only for the rich
Some food rationing introduced
Foreign companies put off by ‘red tape’
worked worse because state officials resisted change
What did the State Commision of Economic Reform conclude by 1989?
More radical change was needed. Such as Shatalin’s 500 day programme to change to a market economy
rejected by USSR but wanted by Russian parliament
What was Glastnost?
Means openness. Designed to encourage engagement in politics
Why was Glastnost introduced?
Generally, due to a disengaged population. But after the cover up of the 1986 Chernobyl crisis it was needed to piece together his reputation
What were the initial effects of Glastnost?
A flood of criticisms about the regime. More about Gorbachev personally than he was expecting.
Main criticisms: Stalin’s terror state, Poor housing, Environmental issues
What were the long term effects of Glastnost?
A politicised population. By 1989 there were over 60,000 informal groups
many criticising Gorbachev’s lack of reform
What were Gorbachev’s reforms of party structure?
Attempted to separate Party from State
Allocating Soviets more finance (meaning more power)
Streamlining (Central Committee from 20 to 9)
What was the start of the democratisation process?
1988 - Multi-candidate election nationally (for Congress of People Deputies)
What was peoples reaction to Multi-candidate elections in 1988?
Seen as minimal reform so angered allied reformists.
Also angered conservatives as it was reform
What was the result of Gorbachev’s minimal reform?
Clear factions developed within and outside of the party
What did the growing disunity forced Gorbachev to do in 1990?
Abolish Article 6 (a one-Party state)
This lead to the introduction of pluralism
What did pluralism quickly cause?
Many seats at the Congress of Peoples Deputies won by nationalists and other opposition Parties
What was the Soviet Union divided into?
15 Republics and satellite states across Eastern Europe
Why did Gorbachev put an end to the Brezhnev Doctrine? (1985)
For ideological reasons - he did not believe in violent suppression
Also satellite states had become to expensive to maintain
What did ending the Brezhnev Doctrine (1985) lead to?
Eastern European countries leaving the Soviet Union
How did Poland leave the Soviet Union?
Workers party Solidarity defeated the Communists in an election
How did Hungary leave the Soviet Union?
Kadar was sacked, reformers allowed pluralism - communists lost in an election
How did East Germany leave the Soviet Union? (1989)
Unstoppable mass demonstrations meant Krenz allowed access across the Berlin Wall
