Gorbachev Moves Towards Democracy and Collapse of the Soviet Union

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Copyright © by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company

World History: Patterns of Interaction

Gorbachev Moves to

Democracy&

Collapse of the Soviet UnionBy: Reneth Mae C. Arca

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Section-3

The Collapse of the Soviet Union

Democratic reforms bring important changes to the Soviet Union.

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A Younger Leader• Mikhail Gorbachev—becomes Soviet leader in 1984• Young, energetic, skilled, wants to pursue new policies

Glasnost Promotes Openness• To achieve economic reforms, he needs open dialogue in society• Promotes new policy of glasnost—openness; dissent allowed

Section-3

The Collapse of the Soviet UnionGorbachev Moves Toward Democracy

Problems Develop• Politburo—ruling committee of Communist Party; rules USSR harshly• Leonid Brezhnev dies in 1982; two successors rule briefly

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Democratization Opens the Political System• In 1987, he unveils plans to have more democracy• Voters, given a choice, elect many reformers to new

legislature

Foreign Policy• Gorbachev signs arms control agreements with U.S.

Reforming the Economy and Politics Economic Restructuring

• People complain about lack of goods; Gorbachev blames old system• In 1985, he introduces perestroika—policy of economic

restructuring• Hopes to make economy more efficient, productive

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Lithuania Defies Gorbachev• In 1990, Lithuania declares independence• Gorbachev, fearing similar actions in other republics, sends

troopsYeltsin Denounces Gorbachev

• Reformer Boris Yeltsin rallies people against Communist old guard• Old-time Communists oppose both Gorbachev and Yeltsin

The Soviet Union Faces Turmoil Ethnic Revolts

• Gorbachev wants to reform Soviet Union, but reforms lead to collapse• Non-Russian ethnic groups rebel in different republics

Continued…

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End of the Soviet Union• Government takes actions to punish Communist Party for

the coup• Many republics declare independence; Gorbachev cannot

stop them• Republics form a federation, CIS—Commonwealth of

Independent States

The Soviet Union Faces Turmoil {continued}

The August Coup• In August 1991, hardliners try to seize control of

government again• Thousands of protesters and Yeltsin rally against this

move• Army refuses to attack protesters and coup collapses

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Chechnya Rebels• In 1991, Chechnya declares independence from

Russia• Yeltsin attempts to crush rebellion, causing

unrest at home• As conflict continues in 1999, he resigns in favor

of Vladimir Putin

Russia Under Boris Yeltsin

Yeltsin Faces Problems• Yeltsin aims to reform the Russian economy • Tries “shock therapy”—quick transition to free market

system• New policies bring economic chaos and hardship,

political troubles

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Economic, Political, and Social Problems• Economic problems continue, leading to unstable

politics• Social problems include homelessness,

unemployment• Declines in population, standard of living,

average life expectancy

Russia Under Vladimir Putin Troubles Continue in Chechnya

• Fighting drags on in Chechnya• In 2002, Chechen rebels seize theater in

Moscow, many die

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Section-4

Changes in the Soviet Union lead to changes throughout Central and Eastern Europe.

Changes in Central and Eastern Europe

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Solidarity Defeats Communists• Communist government bans Solidarity but cannot solve

economic woes• In 1988, workers rebel to force recognition of Solidarity• Elections in 1989 and 1990 make Walesa president of Poland

Section-4

Changes in Central and Eastern Europe

Poland and Hungary Reform The Rise of Solidarity

• Workers strike to win recognition of Solidarity—Polish labor union• Lech Walesa—leader of union—becomes national hero

Continued…

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Hungarian Communists Disband • In 1990, voters elect non-Communist

government in Hungary• Democracy thrives; Hungary joins NATO in 1999

Poland Under Kwasniewski• Alexander Kwasniewski elected president in

1995• Brings Poland into NATO, tries to build strong

market economy

Poland and Hungary Reform {continued}

Poland Votes Out Walesa• Walesa tries to build free market economy quickly• Though some progress made, many Poles unhappy;

Walesa voted out

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Fall of the Berlin Wall• East Germany closes its borders, sparking

massive protests• In late 1989, new East German leader opens

Berlin Wall• By end of year, Communist government there

has collapsed

Germany Reunifies Resistance to Change

• East Germany’s leader resists reforms as in Poland, Hungary• Thousands of East Germans escape through

Hungary to Austria

Continued…

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A New Chancellor• In 1998, Kohl voted out of office• New leader—Gerhard Schroeder—has difficulty reviving

economy• Germany becomes more active in world affairs after

reunifying

Germany’s Challenges• East Germany in poor shape, needs rebuilding• This costly effort forces German leader Helmut Kohl to

raise taxes

Germany Reunifies {continued}

Reunification• Reunification—merging of the two Germanys—

achieved in 1990

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Czechoslovakia Breaks Up• Economic reforms hurt people in Slovakia, eastern part of

country• In 1993, Czechoslovakia splits into two separate countries• Both economies grow—slow in Czech Republic; faster in

Slovakia

Democracy Spreads in Czechoslovakia Czechoslovakia Reforms

• In 1989, large crowd in Prague protests, demands democracy• Tough government crackdown sparks more protests• By late 1989, Communists are gone; Václav Havel elected

president

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Overthrow in Romania The Romanian Economy• Corruption and crime prevalent through 1990s;

economy lags •Much of economy still owned by government,

not in private hands• But Government begins moving toward market

economy

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A Bloody Breakup• Milosevic, Serbian leader, tries to impose control on whole

country• Slovenia and Croatia fight off Serbian army, win

independence• In 1992, Bosnia-Herzegovina declares independence; war

breaks out• Serb forces practice ethnic cleansing—getting rid of Bosnian

Muslims• In 1995, U.S., UN establish peace setting up multiethnic

government

The Breakup of Yugoslavia

Ethnic Problems• Yugoslavia has 8 ethnic groups in a federation of 6

republics

Continued…

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The Region Faces Its Problems• Serbia has new leader; Milosevic faces war crimes trials• Montenegro and Serbia form loose union, may

separate in future

The Breakup of Yugoslavia {continued}

Rebellion in Kosovo• In 1998, fighting starts in Kosovo, Serb province of

ethnic Albanians • Serbian army invades to put down Albanian rebels

with harsh force• In 1999, NATO bombs Serbia, forces Serbs to withdraw

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Gorbachev Moves Towards Democracy and Collapse of the Soviet Union

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