The Fall of the USSR

 

 The Soviet Union's collapse in 1991 was one of the most significant geopolitical events of the 20th century, ending the Cold War and transforming global power dynamics. Here’s a closer look at the key factors behind its downfall:

Economic Struggles: By the 1980s, the Soviet economy was stagnating. Centralized planning, corruption, and inefficient industries failed to compete with Western economies. Resources were drained by the arms race and Afghanistan War.

Political Reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev introduced glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) in the 1980s to address these issues. While they aimed to modernize the USSR, these reforms exposed systemic flaws, undermining the Communist Party's control.

Nationalism and Independence Movements: Non-Russian republics, such as the Baltic states, Ukraine, and Georgia, pushed for independence. Ethnic tensions and demands for sovereignty weakened the union.

The 1991 Coup Attempt: Hardline Communists attempted to seize power in August 1991, but the coup failed, discrediting the Communist Party further. Boris Yeltsin, President of the Russian Republic, emerged as a key figure during this crisis.

December 25, 1991: Gorbachev resigned, and the Soviet Union officially dissolved. Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), marking the end of the USSR.

The fall of the Soviet Union reshaped the world order, paving the way for U.S. dominance and the rise of independent nations.