The Collapse of USSR Information Sheet 3
GRADE 12 HISTORY
IF 3. RESULTS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR
THE RISE OF AMERICA
The most significant result of the collapse of the world’s second biggest super-power was
that it allowed America to rise unchallenged and to dominate world events for the next 40
odd years. She rose as the single greatest power in a multi-polar world to create a ‘new
world order’.
There was nobody in any position to oppose the USA at this stage:
• The EU was not established and/or strong enough
• The Chinese were trading partners, and whilst seen as rivals, were not a threat
• The CIS were weakened by internal instability and financial crisis
• France and Britain had never recovered to their former glory after the Second
World War
• America had support of the UN and NATO
GLOBALIZATION
A spin off of Western supremacy, and the advancements in technology, allowed the world
to shrink and to fall under capitalist control. America has dictated financial affairs across
the globe in recent years.
WITHDRAWAL OF SOVIET AID TO HER ALLIES
Former allies with the Soviets, such as the ANC and Angola, lost their economic and
political support. In South Africa this turned out to be a good thing as it led to the 1994
elections because the threat of communist influence had been removed. But in other
countries, such as Congo, the political vacuum allowed for dictators to come into power.
THE USSR DISSOLVED
The Soviet Union dissolved into 15 smaller states. 12 of them formed the Commonwealth
of Independent States, or the CIS, of which Russia is the biggest but she is divided into 12
republics, and the 3 Baltic States that chose independence.
THREAT OF NUCLEAR WARFARE
The threat of nuclear warfare still remains. Under American ‘reign’ this fear has not gone
away. The Cold War may have ended but the arms race continues....
Page 1
GRADE 12 HISTORY
IF 3. RESULTS OF THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR
THE RISE OF AMERICA
The most significant result of the collapse of the world’s second biggest super-power was
that it allowed America to rise unchallenged and to dominate world events for the next 40
odd years. She rose as the single greatest power in a multi-polar world to create a ‘new
world order’.
There was nobody in any position to oppose the USA at this stage:
• The EU was not established and/or strong enough
• The Chinese were trading partners, and whilst seen as rivals, were not a threat
• The CIS were weakened by internal instability and financial crisis
• France and Britain had never recovered to their former glory after the Second
World War
• America had support of the UN and NATO
GLOBALIZATION
A spin off of Western supremacy, and the advancements in technology, allowed the world
to shrink and to fall under capitalist control. America has dictated financial affairs across
the globe in recent years.
WITHDRAWAL OF SOVIET AID TO HER ALLIES
Former allies with the Soviets, such as the ANC and Angola, lost their economic and
political support. In South Africa this turned out to be a good thing as it led to the 1994
elections because the threat of communist influence had been removed. But in other
countries, such as Congo, the political vacuum allowed for dictators to come into power.
THE USSR DISSOLVED
The Soviet Union dissolved into 15 smaller states. 12 of them formed the Commonwealth
of Independent States, or the CIS, of which Russia is the biggest but she is divided into 12
republics, and the 3 Baltic States that chose independence.
THREAT OF NUCLEAR WARFARE
The threat of nuclear warfare still remains. Under American ‘reign’ this fear has not gone
away. The Cold War may have ended but the arms race continues....
Page 1
