Collapse of the Soviet Union

Chubarov 2 "they uncovered more and more facts, which showed clearly that the brutal suppression of dissidence and democracy was typical not just of the age of Stalin but also of the times of Khrushchev and Brezhnev and even under the "untouchable" Lenin. A pure and unpolluted spring of socialism, which could provide guidance and inspiration for a new generation of reformers, was nowhere to be found in Soviet history. The ever-growing number of intellectuals began to question the very proposition that it was possible to give socialism a human face or that "democratic socialism" could ever be built in the USSR."

"ALLRUSSIAS - Glasnost." ALLRUSSIAS - Glasnost. N.p., n.d. Web. 31 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 Law on State Enterprises was passed for the purpose of stimulating competition to improving productivity

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 Reform of Economic Management(1988)-ceased all party's intrusion in economic management=deterioration of enterprises' ties with each other=weakens economy

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 Reform of Economic Management- "In short, party structures were the "blood vessels" of the command-bureaucratic system, ensuring its smooth operation."

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 Reform of Economic Management-before, economy was managed by party bodies at the local, regional, and district level. All economic problems were brought to the Communist party's Central Committee

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 Reform of Economic Management-staff of central ministries involved with management dropped from 1.7 million to 700K in a year

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Chubarov 1 The Law on State Enterprises-allowed enterprises more independence by controlling output to the free market and the prices of those goods, also allowed them too set their own budgets(goods allocated to govt)-further weakening the govt's grip on the economy

"ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management." ALLRUSSIAS - Reform of Economic Management. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 May 2015.

Graham 1 "Gorbachev never planned to remake the Soviet system he merely wanted to modernise it."

"Gorbachev's Glasnost." Mikhail and Its Affect on Russia. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Graham 1 After the institution of glasnost, the Soviet's past was unmasked, the people became more impatient with Gorbachev's reforms, which led them to turn their backs on the Communist Party

"Gorbachev's Glasnost." Mikhail and Its Affect on Russia. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Fagoshima 1 "glasnost" released thousands of politicians and dissidents from prison, allowing them to express their political views and opinions in opposition groups--contradictory of the oppression present for much of Soviet era

"Of Russian Origin: Glasnost." Glasnost - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015.

Fagoshima 1 Many prisoners released opposed nuclear weapons and death penalty, implying that people who opposed the govt's views were either exiled or given the death penalty

"Of Russian Origin: Glasnost." Glasnost - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015.

Finoshima 1 From 1986-1988, Soviet stopped blocking American radio broadcasting, such as BBC, Radio Liberty, and Voice of America, all of which continuously criticized the communist regime.

"Of Russian Origin: Glasnost." Glasnost - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 21 May 2015.

Finoshina 1 Gorbachev wanted to follow the pattern of Western countries and transform Russia into a capitalist nation; he hoped to do this by decentralizing the government in terms of economic privileges and control.

"Of Russian Origin: Perestroika." Perestroika - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Finoshina 1 Law on State Enterprises in 1987 officially allowed companies to set their own prices and wage--led to companies/workers setting too high of wages=inflation=price increase=dissapearance of staple goods as people snatched them to make more profit=food rationing=economic crisis

"Of Russian Origin: Perestroika." Perestroika - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Finoshina 1 New foreign policies allowed Russia to seek financial assistance from Western companies and Western companies to invest in the Soviet economy==>further undermining the ideals of Communist politics and central economy.

"Of Russian Origin: Perestroika." Perestroika - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Finoshina 1 Tensions between socialist and capitalists groups worsened the economic crisis, dividing Russia even more than before

"Of Russian Origin: Perestroika." Perestroika - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Finoshina 1 The Law on Cooperatives in 1988 allowed private ownership of businesses, manufacturing, and foreign trade companies.

"Of Russian Origin: Perestroika." Perestroika - Russiapedia Of Russian Origin. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Brown 1 "democratic centralism" is abandoned in the Communist party, the idea that pushes forward the intolerance of dissent by Gorbachev after which the party soon falls apart.

"Perestroika: Reform That Changed the World - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Brown 1 democratization--ideologies such as Marxism-Leninism were thrown away and instead replaced by political pluralism-an ideology that allows for different parties to exist.

"Perestroika: Reform That Changed the World - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Brown 1 glasnost--allowed books that criticized the Communist system to be published, religious tolerance, freedom of speech, freedom of expression, and freedom of communication(with the West)

"Perestroika: Reform That Changed the World - BBC News." BBC News. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Anonymous 1 CPSU split into multiple factions by 1990 after the many political reforms=further weakens communist party, by that time CPSU was thought by liberals as incompetent leaders

"Russia - Demokratizatsiya." Russia - Demokratizatsiya. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2015.

Anonymous 1 First opposition bloc in CPD formed in 1989 known as Interregional Group- advocated for repeal of Article 6

"Russia - Demokratizatsiya." Russia - Demokratizatsiya. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2015.

Anonymous 1 Foreign Investment Law of 1991 states that foreign companies can invest in most parts of the Soviet economy and should be treated with respect like any other domestic company=undermining state controls and encourages captialsm

"Russia - Foreign Investment." Russia - Foreign Investment. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 By improving foreign relations with the West, the people are being encouraged to look at politics in a democratic light, thus decreasing Communist popularity and control over Russia.

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 Foreign Relations: Gorbachev withdraws Soviet troops from Afghanistan, thus improving western relations since the the West highly condemned Leonid Brezhnev(former leader) for intervening in the war.

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 Foreign policy-In 1987, Reagan and Gorbachev signed the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty(INF) in hopes of reducing 50% of intermediate-short range missiles in Europe--also undermines Soviet economy that is highly reliant on the defense industry.

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 From 1988-1989, Gorbachev ban staffs of state committees and officials involve in the economy out of fear that they would mess up his reforms and his attempts of a capitalist economy--far too radical, economy too dependent on the govt.

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 Gorbachev and George Bush marked end of Cold War in 1989--However the Cold War was what upheld/maintained the Communist regime; by ending the war, Communism was undermined

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 Gorbachev used the slogan "New Thinking" to advocate foreign policy in hopes of changing the political views in the Soviet state and increasing improving foreign relations=>directly contradicts all Communist ideals

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 In 1989, Gorbachev repealed Brezhnev Doctrine, a policy that Russia would uphold socialist orders in foreign nations by intervening militarily. In Gorbachev's speech to the Council of Europe, he believed in "the sovereign right of each people to choose their own social system."

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Library of Congress 1 The Cold War gave Russia nationalistic pride due to their technological breakthroughs against the West, further upholding Communism. During this time, Communism was Russia's undeniable identity.

"Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev." Russia - New Thinking: Foreign Policy under Gorbachev. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Agricultural sector made up 19.4% of the net material product/GNP/income;

"Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE." Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Country Data 1 Before Gorbachev's reforms, the economy was based on state owned economy in which the government controlled almost all aspects of the labor force, retail and wholesale distribution system, and the financial system.

"Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE." Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

Country Data 1 Private/personal industries not associated with the government were discouraged and considered illegal in the 1980s. They also discouraged self-employment--opposes Gorbachev's economic reforms.

"Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE." Soviet Union - ECONOMIC STRUCTURE. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 May 2015.

NTI 1 Soviet Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty(START) was signed by Gorbachev and U.S. President George H.W. Bush to reduce nuclear production--undermines the defense industry, which has been a large contributor of the Soviet economy.

"Treaty between the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on Strategic Offensive Reductions (START I) | NTI." NTI: Nuclear Threat Initiative. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 May 2015.

Cohen and Heuvel 222 "glasnost" has resulted in harassment of liberal newspaper publications and journalists

Cohen, Stephen F., and Katrina Vanden Heuvel. Voices of Glasnost: Conversations with Gorbachev's Reformers. New York: Norton, 1989. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Gorbachev + Zdenek 67 Encouraged private businesses independent of govt subsidies

Gorbachev, Mikhail, and Zdenek Mlynar. Conversations with Gorbachev. New York: Columbia UP, 1893. Print.

Gorbachev 223 Gorbachev allowed introduced a new foreign economic policy that allowed twenty ministries and 70 associations to establish trading connections with Soviet Russia

Gorbachev, Mikhail. Memoirs. New York: Doubleday, 1996. Print.

Gorbachev 224 "To engage in individual labour and to earn a good living was considered shameful, but too while away the time in a large enterprise in an institution was the normal order o f things"(224).

Gorbachev, Mikhail. Memoirs. New York: Doubleday, 1996. Print.

Gorbachev 281 Chernobyl accident, Armenia earthquake, and the Afghan War all contributed to the economic crisis.

Gorbachev, Mikhail. Memoirs. New York: Doubleday, 1996. Print.

Gorbachev 283 100 members retired from the Central Committee, the law making body, which made room for new members who wanted reform

Gorbachev, Mikhail. Memoirs. New York: Doubleday, 1996. Print.

Gorbachev 307 New USSR Constitution modified by the new USSR Supreme Court; laws included equal distribution of taxes, leasehold and leasing, social and political freedoms

Gorbachev, Mikhail. Memoirs. New York: Doubleday, 1996. Print.

Huber and Kelley 17 Era of perestroika or "restructuring" began in mid-late 1980s in attempts to restructure Soviet economic and political system

Huber, Robert T., and Donald R. Kelley. Perestroika-Era Politics: The New Soviet Legislature and Gorbachev's Political Reforms. Armonk, New York: M. E. Sharpe, 1991. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

ICN 1 "demokratizatsiya" ultimately undermined the principles of the Communist Party such as Article 6

Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and Shaun Breslin, Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992

ICN 1 "glasnost" allowed freedom of expression and speech and less government control on radio and press, which allowed for public opinion on these mediums of social networking

Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and Shaun Breslin, Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992

ICN 1 "glasnost" was the first of Gerbachev's reformations that allowed honest discussions of past of the Soviet Union.

Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and Shaun Breslin, Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992

ICN 1 Economic reforms granted enterprises the freedom to sell a percentage of their goods on the open market instead of to the government as they previously did=decline in food production=economic crisis

Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and Shaun Breslin, Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992

ICN 1 Political reforms of "demokratizatsiya" included a new legislature, in which only 1/3 of the representatives to the Congress of People's Deputies could be reserved for the Communist Party, the other 2/3 would be reserved for popular vote=defeat of Communist candidates

Rod Hague, Martin Harrop and Shaun Breslin, Political Science: A Comparative Introduction. New York: St. Martin's Press, 1992

Sternthal 1-2 "The Party and state controls so suited for earlier wartime operations had now brought the country to the brink of economic and political disaster."

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 2 "Gorbachev's intention was to bring the Soviet Union back to its Leninist roots by revitalizing the country economically and politically, and breathing new life into the ideals of the Soviet Communist Party. "

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 2 "The vestiges of Stalinism had to be eradicated, namely, the suffocating Party and state controls, which spawned a fearful and browbeaten population"

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 2 Gorbechev hoped to fix the economic decline and political crisis by transfering the military's resources to the civilians' economy, which required a complete transformation of the government--known as perestroika

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 2 In 1970, the former president Leonid Brezhnev increased spending on the military and brought the whole country into an economic decline and a political crisis, which was only made possible by Stalin's rapid industrialization--Gorbachev, who assumed power in 1985, wanted to fix this.

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 3 "Stalinism was perceived as a corrosive force that could be removed, much like barnacles on the hull of a ship. But Gorbachev did not anticipate that in removing the barnacles, he in fact would end up dismantling the ship. "

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 30 Economic decline in 1985 was also caused by the drop in oil an gas prices, which resulted in immense exports of Western industrial/machinery goods, eventually drawing Russia into a combined Western debt of 59 billion dollars, which they could not pay back=>damage in international relations

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 34, 205 Gorbachev made Nikolai Ryzhkov a full member of the Politburo, who later became prime minister and instituted to increase the price of bread, later causing disappearance of consumer goods=economic crisis=collapse

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 37 Gorbachev wanted to improve international relations with the West in order to successfully execute domestic reforms, such as cutting down military production and spending, which were products of the Cold War and the nuclear arms race

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Sternthal 4 When Leonid Brezhnev was president, Gorbachev was general secretary and noticed that of the 25 rubles reserved for scientific research, 20 billion rubles went to military-technical research; as much as 50 percent of the government's budget went to the military by 1988.

Sternthal, Susanne. Gorbachev's Reforms: De-Stalinization through Demilitarization. Westport, CT: Praeger, 1997. Questia. Web. 17 May 2015.

Strayer 133 Only 20 goods were regularly available for customers. Drop of national income was worse than that of US Great Depression

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 133 Shortage of agricultural and consumer goods=led to scarcity of food=economic decline+starvation--due to Gorbachev's economic reform program known as the perestroika

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 134 As industrial companies became free of government constraints due to perestroika, they refused to send urban workers to help with the agricultural labor that was necessary for food production=economic decline.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 134 Due to the shortage of consumer goods, individual enterprises gained power at expense of central enterprises and administrative functions. Thus, party oversight was reduced, and therefore producers failed to make deliveries, therefore decreasing the level of production.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 134 In May, 1944, the government attempted to limit consumer food products in hopes to hoard it for the wealthy due to the food shortage. This only resulted in angry retaliation of neighboring countries; for example: Kyrgyzstan limited export of vegetables and Georgia limited exports of citrus fruits to Russia.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 136 Because of the antialcohol campaign to reduce spending on alcohol, the government lost revenues, thus leading Russia into a debt. Furthermore, the price of oil, the backbone of Russia's economy, declined.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 136 Economic crisis led to unemployment of 4 million by 1991. Also leads an increased gap between the rich and poor; much of population spent up to 80% of their income on food.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 136 Inflation caused by growing deficits of government's money, leading to increased printing of paper money; importation of machine tools for Chernobyl explosion in 1986 and the Armenian earthquake in 1988 led to immense spending, putting Russia in debt

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 137 "By 1990, then, the Soviet economic crisis had produced an embittered and angry population, most of whom saw themselves as victims of perestroika rather than its beneficiaries." -distrust in government and political party(Communism)

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 137 By 1992, Economic crisis led to a number of social issues: increased crimes, increased death rates, decreased birthrates=population decline

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 139 People were discouraged to pursue their interests before glasnost, people who did were often persecuted and repressed

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 139 before: unofficial groups were forbidden, all official groups were under the close supervision of the government

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 139 from 1985-1987 during glasnost, groups devoted to music, dance, sports and other popular interests emerged, further undermining the deeply embedded totalitarian roots of the Soviet Union.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 140 A political group known as the Democratic Union, an opposition party of the communist regime, led street demonstrations, advocated non-violence, and declared a democratic parliamentary regime, and refused to work in Soviet institutions and organizations.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 140 By 1988, the "democratic awakening" was rapidly growing as liberal organizations held demonstrations and events for the purpose of advocating justice, anti-violence, and equality, all of which were non-existent during the Stalin/Soviet Era.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 140 Gorbachev's reforms(glasnost) allowed the formations about many liberal groups, organizations, and associations whose views contradicted those of both socialism and communism.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 140 In March 1989, successful elections of Congress of People's Deputies and in republican, city, and local legislatures contributed to the "democratic awakening" =>repeal of Article 6 in 1990(the right of the Communist Party's monopoly of the Soviet Union)

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 140 in 1988, the liberal organization, Memorial, constructed a wall of memory for Stalin's victims in Moscow in hopes to bring to light the oppression that present during his dictatorship. By 1989, this organizaiton had 180 branches and as many as 20,000 members.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 142 "Appalling health, safety, and housing conditions had long been a part of miners' lives, as had a deep resentment that the state used them to dig as much coal as possible with little regard for their welfare."

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 142 "By 1990-91, then, the democratic movement had become an important force within the Soviet Union, effectively ending decades of political silence and creating a legal opposition for the first time in Soviet history. "

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 142 Harsh conditions in the mine and the consequences of the declining economy led to a local miner's strike Siberia, attracting half million miners to walkouts in Soviet coal mines.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 22 The ideals of autocratic Russia were weaved into Stalinism, which Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, adopted to some extent. Thus, some of the long term causes of its collapse can be blamed on Russia's political traditions.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 4 Collapse of Soviet Union: In December of 1991, 15 states gained independence from the USSR(Union of Soviet Socialist Republic) after which the Soviet Union was no longer.

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.

Strayer 5 Under Czarist rule, Russia's inhabitants were deprived of all freedoms and rights. Thus, radicals(Bolsheviks) were drawn to the idea of creating a socialist society, a state in which everyone shared everything communally and where inequality, injustice, and oppression were non-existent, laying the foundation for the Soviet Union(1922-1991).

Strayer, Robert. Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse? Understanding Historical Change. Armonk, NY: M. E. Sharpe, 1998. Questia. Web. 11 May 2015.