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The Collapse of The Soviet Union and Answer The Questions Below

Gorbachev instituted reforms in the Soviet Union in the 1980s that moved the country towards democracy and decentralization of the economy. This led other Soviet republics to demand more independence. In 1991, hardliners attempted a coup against Gorbachev but it failed due to widespread opposition. Shortly after, the Soviet Union collapsed as the republics declared independence. Russia and other newly independent states then formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) led by Yeltsin, who became the new Russian president. Yeltsin implemented economic "shock therapy" reforms but they caused high unemployment and hardships. Putin later faced issues as the new Russian president such as rebuilding the economy and dealing with conflicts like in Chechnya.

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33 views

The Collapse of The Soviet Union and Answer The Questions Below

Gorbachev instituted reforms in the Soviet Union in the 1980s that moved the country towards democracy and decentralization of the economy. This led other Soviet republics to demand more independence. In 1991, hardliners attempted a coup against Gorbachev but it failed due to widespread opposition. Shortly after, the Soviet Union collapsed as the republics declared independence. Russia and other newly independent states then formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) led by Yeltsin, who became the new Russian president. Yeltsin implemented economic "shock therapy" reforms but they caused high unemployment and hardships. Putin later faced issues as the new Russian president such as rebuilding the economy and dealing with conflicts like in Chechnya.

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World Cultures 11

Unit II: Russia

Name ___Eric Garman_______


Date _4/21/15
Block 1

Read the article entitled The Collapse of the Soviet Union and answer the questions below
thoroughly and thoughtfully.
Indentify/define each of the following: [remember to answer fully]
a. Politburo The ruling committee of the communist party.
b. Soviet hard-liners Old Bolsheviks that wanted to get rid of Gorbachev.
c. coup A violent seizure of power within a government.
d. CIS Commonwealth of independent states.
e. shock therapy- a shift to free market economics.

1. Identify and define two early changes that Gorbachev made? How were these changes
different from previous Soviet leaders?
- He changed the government to a democracy rather than the normal totalitarianism. He
also changed foreign policy and put arms as his top priority.
2. Why would it be ineffective for the central government to decide what should be
produced all over the country?
- Because different places were producing different things at different amounts.
3. Explain Gorbachevs third reform and how it would help to move the country toward
democracy.
- He allowed small businesses. This led to more independence the same way as
democracy.
4. What was the INF Treaty? Why did Gorbachev agree to sign it? What effect do you
think this Treaty had on the Cold War?
- This treaty banned nuclear weapons. It changed the cold war in the way that they
could not use missiles.
5. What effect did Gorbachevs reforms have on Russian ethnic minorities?
- It loosened ethnic controls and Muslims wanted freedom.
6. Which satellite nation was first to defy Gorbachev? How did Gorbachev respond?
- Lithuania. He attacked their capital.
7. What was Boris Yeltsins position in Soviet government? Why did he oppose Gorbachev?
- He was a member of parliament and was upset that soviets didnt have control of eastern
Europe.
8. What name was given to the older communist members in parliament? What opinion did they
have regarding both Gorbachev and Yeltsin? Explain your answer.

- They didnt like that they gave up control of eastern Europe.


9. What was the August Coup? Who orchestrated it?
- The detaining of Gorbachev by Yeltsin.
10. What were the most important reasons for the failure of the Coup?
- Parliament refused it.
11. How did the 15 soviet Republics respond to the failed Coup?
- They declared independence.
12. When Gorbachev stepped down as president, who became the next president?
- Boris Yeltsin was the next president.
13. What was the new name of the Soviet Union after this coup?
- It became known as Russia.
14. What was Yeltsin attempting to do by forming the CIS? What effect would it have on the
traditional Soviet Union?
- He wanted to change the course of Russias territories.
15. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, Yeltsin was faced with economic issues. What did
he do to attempt to solve these issues? Did it work? Why or why not?
- He did shock therapy to change the economy but it left people jobless.
16. When Yeltsin stepped down, a new leader was elected. What are some of the problems
that faced this new leader, Vladimir Putin?
- He had to get people jobs and get rid of homelessness.
17. What was the Chechnya issue? How did Putin deal with it? Was he able to end this issue
for the new Federation? Explain.
- It was Chechnyas rebellion. He pulled troops and there was a seize of a theater.
18. In what ways were the policies of Gorbachev, Yeltsin, and Putin similar?
- All three of these men made some sort of change to the economy. Whether it was good or bad
they all brought new ideas in efforts of improvement.

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