A page of notes on why the USSR fell and the different causes. Useful as an essay plan or simply a summary of the topic. Made by an A/A* predicted student using multiple textbooks and class notes.
NATIONALISM GORBACHEV’S REFORMS
Nationalism rose within and outside Russia
→ Gorbachev’s political reform damaged his authority and divided the
→
→ Due to the introduction of ‘Glasnost’ and the removal of the Brezhnev Communist party into factions making it impossible to reform and
doctrine. undermining the party. It also facilitated the rise of Nationalism.
→Countries such as Czechoslovakia and Poland etc. Communist was → Gorbachev’s Economic reforms also created the divide in the party as the
gotten rid of through public pressure and vote. incorporated capitalist elements such as the “co-operatives” being legalised,
→ Fall of the Berlin Wall + the success of Solidarity in Poland there wasn’t much of a change in economic issues such as food shortages
→ The Baltic states and other states within the USSR were inspired by with the food production rate growing by 1% in a year continuing unrest.
Eastern Europe having known independence before 1939 → However, the was already severe economic unrest evident in the
→ There was a huge rise of nationalism within the Russian intelligentsia Novosibirsk Report of 1985, there was a lack of investment and a booming
→ WIth some of Gorbachev’s reforms incorporating capitalist elements second-economy.
there was huge pressure for him to make a decision. → The party was also very difficult being a Gerontocracy and with reforms
→ However, many republics like in Central Asia gain from being apart of the being often undermined by officials.
Soviet union
→ 60 million Russians lived in other republics (how Nationalist can they
be?)
ROLE OF GORBACHEV ROLE OF YELTSIN
Gorbachev was very naive believing people would choose Communism
→ Yeltsin ultimately made the decision of the dissolution of the USSR
→
when introducing his Political reforms → He grew in popularity through the peoples vote which was different to
→ He was very inconsistent especially in his speeches for example, in Gorbachev retaining 57% of the popular vote in the democratic presidential
November 1987 he made a speech criticising Stalin but also tried to appeal elections for the Russia republic.
to Stalinists → After the coup and gaining support and Gorbachev basically losing his
→ He did not have a clear vision for the USSR, this was evident in his political support Yeltsin ultimately pushed the button banning communist
massive switches between policies for example his implementation of party activities on Russian soil and later dissolving the USSR with
‘Perestroika’ suggested he lacked a plan contributing to his indecision Gorbachev resigning 8 days later
leading to pressure from the party and the people. → However, he may not have been able to gain this kind of support without
→ However he was very well like internationally and took a lot ending the the factors that came before.
Cold War (the arms race had been a burden)
CONCLUSION
Gorbachev’s reforms ultimately facilitated divisions in the party, political and continued economic unrest and the rise of nationalism, these wouldn't have
→
occurred in the same way without his policies.
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