Real Reason Why The Soviet Union Collapsed

Summary

This video chronicles the rise and fall of the Soviet Union, from its military expansion and economic stagnation under Brezhnev to the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev. Gorbachev's policies of perestroika and glasnost led to significant changes, easing tensions in Eastern Europe and promoting independence within Soviet republics. However, internal strife and an attempted coup by hardliners, led by figures like Boris Yeltsin, eventually resulted in the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991. The video also touches on Russia’s post-Soviet era under Vladimir Putin, noting a return to authoritarianism and the suppression of political opposition.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Soviet Union's military strength grew under Brezhnev but was accompanied by economic stagnation.
• 😀 Despite military prowess, the Soviet Union struggled economically, being far behind the U.S. in economic power.
• 😀 The Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in the 1980s was a costly mistake that contributed to the collapse of the USSR.
• 😀 The U.S. exploited the economic vulnerabilities of the Soviet Union by encouraging lower oil prices, crippling its oil-dependent economy.
• 😀 The Soviet Union's failure to diversify its economy led to rapid economic decline and rising civil unrest.
• 😀 After Brezhnev's death, the Soviet Union saw quick leadership turnover, with Andropov and Chernenko both passing away shortly after taking office.
• 😀 Mikhail Gorbachev became Soviet leader in 1985 and introduced reforms such as *perestroika* (economic restructuring) and *glasnost* (increased transparency).
• 😀 Gorbachev's policies led to the eventual collapse of Soviet control in Eastern Europe and the revolutions of 1989.
• 😀 Soviet republics began pushing for independence, with a 1990 law allowing them to secede if a majority of citizens voted in favor.
• 😀 The failed coup in 1991, led by Communist hardliners, strengthened the position of Boris Yeltsin and led to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
• 😀 Boris Yeltsin became Russia's first elected president, but his leadership was overshadowed by the rise of Vladimir Putin, who implemented authoritarian practices.
• 😀 Vladimir Putin's rise to power led to a return of Stalin-like authoritarianism, with purges of political opposition, press freedom suppression, and a rewritten constitution allowing him to stay in power indefinitely.

Q & A

What led to the downfall of the Soviet Union?

The Soviet Union's downfall was driven by a combination of economic stagnation, military overreach (notably the costly Afghan War), and political instability. Economic troubles were exacerbated by falling oil prices, while internal unrest and the failure of Communist hardliners to maintain control contributed to its collapse.

How did the United States contribute to the weakening of the Soviet Union?

The United States capitalized on the Soviet Union's weaknesses by encouraging Saudi Arabia to lower oil prices. This severely impacted the Soviet economy, which was heavily reliant on oil exports. The loss of profits from oil exports worsened the USSR's economic stagnation.

What reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev introduce to address the Soviet Union's issues?

Gorbachev introduced two major reforms: perestroika (economic restructuring) to revitalize the economy, and glasnost (openness) to relax censorship and encourage political transparency. These reforms aimed to modernize the political and economic systems but ultimately contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What was the significance of the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan?

The Soviet retreat from Afghanistan in 1988 marked a major policy shift and symbolized the failure of the Soviet military intervention. It mirrored the eventual American withdrawal decades later and was a significant moment in the weakening of Soviet influence.

How did Gorbachev's approach differ from previous Soviet leadership in handling Eastern Europe?

Gorbachev rejected the Brezhnev Doctrine, which justified Soviet military intervention in Warsaw Pact countries. Instead, he allowed Eastern European countries more autonomy, leading to the fall of communism in many of these nations and the eventual collapse of Soviet control.

What role did the failed 1991 coup play in the fall of the Soviet Union?

The 1991 coup attempt by hardline Communists failed largely due to widespread popular opposition and the strong leadership of Boris Yeltsin. The failure of the coup weakened the Communist Party and accelerated the disintegration of the Soviet Union, leading to its collapse later that year.

How did Boris Yeltsin rise to prominence during the final days of the Soviet Union?

Boris Yeltsin gained prominence by resisting the 1991 coup and leading the opposition against hardline Communists. His defiance during the coup made him a popular figure, and he was subsequently elected as the first president of the Russian Federation after the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What was the significance of the 1990 law allowing Soviet republics to secede?

The 1990 law allowed Soviet republics to secede if more than two-thirds of their population voted in favor. This law marked the beginning of the end for the Soviet Union, as it enabled republics to declare independence, leading to the eventual dissolution of the USSR.

How did the political landscape change in Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union?

After the Soviet Union collapsed, Russia initially adopted democratic reforms under Boris Yeltsin. However, the rise of Vladimir Putin saw a shift toward authoritarianism, with the suppression of political opposition, independent media, and dissent, reversing many of the democratic gains.

What has been the impact of Vladimir Putin's rule on Russian democracy?

Vladimir Putin's rule has led to a decline in Russian democracy. He has used his power to suppress political opposition, curtail media freedom, and implement purges against dissidents, resulting in a return to authoritarian governance resembling the Stalinist era. He has also amended the Russian constitution to extend his rule indefinitely.