Summary Disintegration of the USSR

Disintegration of
the USSR

, USSR’s reaction to Gorbachev’s reforms

Result of reforms = fall of USSR
- It ended the Cold War
- His reforms confused his people and he became unpopular
o USSR = economically weak
 Result of Cold War = arms race + space race
o Reforms ≠ welcomed by the people
- USSR spent  $ trying to keep up with USA
o This = USSR ≠ give people consumer goods
o This = huge unrest in the USSR
- Reforms upset traditional communists + people expected  change
- Gorbachev received  criticism:
o People resented change + ≠ accept reforms
o People complained about slow pace of change
o “Glasnost” = growing demand for  independence
o Hardliner communists = upset
o Discontent  + many called for end of communism
- Effects of reforms in states:
o Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia asked for
independence from CP
o Georgia demanded independence from USSR
- Lack of improvement was leading to the disintegration of USSR
o There was a coup attempt on Gorbachev
- Boris Yeltsin took over from Gorbachev
o He went AGAINST the coup on Gorbachev = hero to Russians
 = USSR ≠ go back to Communist repression
- Republic set free + Common Wealth of independent State (CIS) set up