L1.8: Andropov, Chernenko, Gorbatchev and Yeltsin Era (1982-91)

1990-91

"Baltic States", Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania made it clear they wished to leave the Soviet Union and proclaim their independence.

'Glasnost'

"Openness", calling for a more open and accountable Soviet political system, with greater levels of free and open discussions encouraged. Based on the belief that "the airing of opinions was vital for new ideas to come forward... Which was a normal phenomenon in a modern society"

'Perestroika'

"Re-constructing", which accepted the need for a revised model of government for the Soviet Union, paricularly in terms of making it more efficient and less corrupt. Summarised as "setting the economy on a path to catch up with western economies... And encouraging the introduction of new technologies, all vital to the maintenance of the Soviet Union as a world power."

600,000

# Soviet troops that served the war.

15,000

# of Soviet deaths (number artificially lowered by Soviet authorities to limit the political damage).

Key reforms:

'Glasnost' and 'Perestroika'

The economy under Gorbatchev:

'In the economy the aim was to introduce elements of a market mechanism, and a variety for forms of ownership...'

Oct 1989

'Sinatra Doctrine'

'Nationalism'

'The prospect of reform encouraged the expression of nationalist feeling throughout the Soviet Union, and particularly in Armenia and the Baltic Republics [...] The new Soviet openness was mirrored by limited moves towards reforms in Eastern Europe.´

The political sphere under Gorbatchev:

'[...] In the political sphere the vision was of a reformed Communist Party, still firmly in control, but a party whose officials both at central and local level would characterize a society in which party-state institutions no longer managed all spheres of activity.'

Results/Consequences of the 'Sinatra Doctrine'

- End of the 'Brezhnev Doctrine' - the end of Soviet control of much of Eastern Europe.

Key factors of the collapse of the Soviet Union:

- Gorbatchev's 'destabilising' reforms. - long-term economic decline (since 1970s) - Divided and weak national leadership (1980s) - 'Nationalism' 1980s, - military costs and Afghanistan War, - Inability for Communism to maintain position next to West Capitalists

What brought Yeltsin to power:

- Stood up to "hard-men" (the coup's leaders), when the national leader was indisposed and away from the po frontline. - demanded broader political reform + argued that Gor. Ref did not go far enough : western politicians + liberals supported him.

End of 1991

- end of Soviet Union, - end of Cold War, - 15 SU Rep-> Independent.

Yuri Andropov

1982-1984

Konstantin Chernenko

1984-1985

Geneva Cold War Summit:

1985

Mikhail Gorbatchev

1985-onwards, The Soviet political hierarchy chose to look to a new generation.

Reykjavik

1986

Washington

1987

Chernobyl

Event that happened in 1986 that proved the need for more control and regulations of nuclear power.

Early 1991

Following uprisings in the Baltic States, Soviet troops attacked Lithuania's parliament building and TV station in a bid to suppess the unrest.

By middle 1991

G's political and economic reforms had ultimately set in motion a series of events that he now had limited influence or power over.

Key Cold War Summits

Geneva, Reykjavik, Washington.

March 1991

Gorbatchev gives himself a new title 'President of the Soviet Union'.

December 1991

Gorbatchev resigns.

Summer 1991

Gorbatchev takes a holiday in Crimea, during that he gets ambushed by the conservatives critics in the Politburo who felt : - His reforms were de-stabilising the country and had gone too far, - He was seeking to many compormises with nationalist leaders. Organised a COUP!

"Free-market"

It was accepted by Gorbatchev, meant tat the centralised state could not retain te levels of dominance and control.

Sept 1991

Moscow was forced to formally recognise the Baltic States' demand of the seperation from the Soviet Union.

Trouhout 1990-1991

Other republics wanted to leave SU, including Ukraine, Georgia, Asian republics of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan.

Early 1987-Feb 1989

Phased withdrawal of Soviet Union.

Boris Yeltsin

President of the Russian Federation, criticized Gorbatchev for hard-line response.

'Sinatra Doctrine'

So-called after the singer Frank Sinastra's song 'I did it my way'. This indicated that SU was willing to allow 'satellite states' to go their own way', and would not intervene.

1984

Soviet Union boycotted the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics in revenge.

'exit strategy'

Strategy whereby their troops could leave Afghanistan without it appearing to be a national humiliation.

'Iron curtain'

The Berlin Wall

Nov 1989

The Berlin Wall was dismantled by thousands of protestors who wanted to experience the same levels of opportunity and prosperity as the West.

'Gerontocracy'

The country's political systemwas dominated by old men, otherwise known as ...

The country's political leadership after the coup:

The coup leaders appointed Gennady Yanaeyev (13-21 August) as president of the Soviet Union. However, the coup leaders struggled to take outright political control and Boris saw an opportunity, he took to the streets and portrayed himself as someone willing to stand up to "hard-men", such as the ones responsible for the coup.

21st August 1991

The coup leaders realise coup failed and fled capital. Gorbatchev returns.

1989-90

Uprisings against Communist rule in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia who wished to leave Soviet Union.

Summer 1991

Yeltsin is elected to the Russian Presidency, (first ex of democracy).