Demise of the Soviet Union

Historical Background: Brezhnev Era

Soviet government more repressive; seeming return to Stalinism

Intellectuals repressed Solzhenitsyn expelled Jews harassed, prevented from emigrating to Israel

Rise of dissident movement; repressed Small demonstrations, criticism of govt in public Accusations of violation of human rights of 1975 Helsinki Accords Andrei Sakharov (Nobel physicist), others persecuted

Concentration of power Combined president and Comm party secretary offices Brezhnev appointed; most power of all since Stalin

US & Detente Begun with Nixon at end of Vietnam War

Agreements on trade, reduction of strategic weapons BUT USSR increase in defense spending, esp navy, so

economy down Helsinki Accords

Under US President Ford Recognized USSR “sphere of influence” in E Europe Committed both countries to protect human rights of citizens

Carter: apply the human rights provisions; USSR didn’t want to be scolded

Invasion of Afghanistan Though already a presence there, in 1979, USSR

invaded to establish puppet regime Factional bickering in Marxist government; Amin elected, but

not general support; accused as CIA USSR forces in, executed Amin and put in USSR supporter Secretly: Carter $$ for anti govt propaganda 6 months before

invasion; Amin probably really USSR’s friend US response:

Senate refused to ratify second Strategic Arms Limitation agreement (though Carter had already signed)

Embargo of grain shipments to USSR Boycott of 1980 Olympics in Moscow

Their Viet Nam 9 year occupation with \ 80% of country away from Kabul not

controlled by USSR Ultra Muslim mujahideen fought guerrilla war Soviet failures due to:

mountainous terrain no anti-guerrilla training weaponry and military equipment, especially tanks, ineffective in

mountains Heavy artillery used vs rebel forces.

Afghan guerillas funded and trained by the USA and its allies. Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems (US made), increased aircraft losses

of Soviet Air Force guerillas able to fire at aircraft landing, taking off

OutcomesSoviet withdrew forces,

left government still Marxist, but much of Muslim fundamentalist law, as well

Loss of support for war in USSR as army deaths increased, no gains; pull out lead to:

Loss of support of government in general because of futile war

Beginning of Muslim fundamentalist rebellions in other Asian USSR republics

Reagan Challenges to USSR Positive steps

Relaxed grain embargo: sold to USSR Placed less emphasis on human rights of Helsinki Accords

Challenges Intensification of Cold War rhetoric Increase in US military spending SDI (Strategic Defense Initiative) Star Wars, high tech

defense in space vs nuclear attack major in later arms control negotiations

Forced increase in USSR defense spending, which it couldn’t afford; helped bring on collapse

Beginning of the end: Solidarity in Poland

Late 1970’s Poland (while USSR busy), challenges to party rule and influence of USSR

Gomulka problems: though peace with Church, trade with W, cultural exchange with non Comm, chronic econ mismanagement, shortage of food and goods

Gdansk shipyard strike December 1970: authorities suppressed, killed workers; Lech Walesa, leader, fired and blackballed, imprisoned off and on; Gomulka forced out

Next decade: people didn’t have enough bread; 1980 raised food prices leading to:

Gdansk shipyard strike, again, but this time….

Spread of unrest Workers occupied Lenin shipyard; Walesa joined to lead Spread to other shipyards, transport, factories

Union Solidarity Lech Walesa, refused government unions, SO Government allowed establishment of independent union, Solidarity Promised union access to media (TV, too) along w Catholic Church

Temporary gains Secret elections for party congress with real choice Still single party, but real debate in party congress

Oppression, again Dec 1981, martial law under General Jaruzelski (new head of Polish Comm

party); Arrested Solidarity leaders (Walesa imprisoned 7 years); suppression of reforms

Gorbachev:Collapse of USSR Brezhnev d. 1982; successors Andropov (d 1984) and

Chernenko (d 1985) didn’t rule long Condition of USSR

Militarily strong USSR: after Cuban missile crisis, poured into military buildup

BUT rest of economy in terrible condition with shortage of consumer goods

Marxism at work: absenteeism, alcoholism Reagan defense initiatives forced USSR further defense buildup, but no $

$$ Reformer, Gorbachev put in

Recognized inefficiencies of system Supported Marxism and socialism, just wanted rejuvenated Bolshevikism

he thought undermined by corruption and Stalinistic terror

Perestroika, restructuring Economics

Reduced size of economic ministries’ bureaucracies Allowed more local private enterprise Began advocating private ownership of property Moved toward more free market, liberal economy

Real Problems Siberian miners’ strike 1989 settled quickly Promised better wages, more liberty

BUT Results: worse, with shortages of food, consumer goods

and housing blamed on abandonment of old fashioned central planning

Politics Critical of corruption and inefficiencies in party Glasnost

Allowed public discussion and criticism of Soviet history, party policies

Bukharin, others “purged” by Stalin, recognized for contributions Workers permitted to criticize party officials and their decisions Dissidents released from prison BUT all ethnics and national minorities wanted political

independence; Gorbachev couldn’t satisfy their demands Political Perestroika

1988 new constitution to permit real elections Congress of People’s Deputies 1989 included Sakharov

1989: Fateful Year Poland

1984 some Solidarity leaders released, back to union activism

Underground press and political organizations Legalization of Solidarity 1989 Free elections after repeal of martial law in 1989 First noncommunist pm of Poland since 1945; approved

by Gorbachev In November 1990, Lech Wałęsa was elected President

for a 5-year term. introducing world prices, greatly expanding private enterprise.

Free parliamentary elections 1991: 100 + parties with full spectrum of political views (none received more than 13% of vote).

Why E Europe could break away…. All transitions to democratic governments in E Europe and

Baltics peaceful except Romania Refusal of USSR to intervene militarily as in 50’s and 60’s

to prop up old line communist governments Gorbachev renounces Brezhnev Doctrine 1989 As soon as public, ordinary citizens all over E Europe

demonstrated to denounce Communist Party domination, assert nationalism and desire for democratic reform

Tiananmen Square demos in Beijing violent suppression in June 1989 had something to do with party decision not to repress?

Hungary Earlier moves: some capitalism and stock exchange;

production of food and consumer goods Jan 1989 Parliament ok’d legalization of other political

parties Permitted free travel with Austria: first breach in Iron

Curtain (thousands of E Germans went through Hungary into Austria and on into W Germany)

Parliament voted premier installed by Soviets after 1956 out of office: honorary public burial to Nagy

Communist party changed name to Socialist 1990: free elections

Berlin:The Walls Came Tumbling Down

Popular demonstrations in many German cities Leipzig: people demanded democracy and end to

Communist Party rule Gorbachev cut off E German Communist party: said

USSR would no longer support E German Honecker, others resigned New Communist leaders promised political and

economic reform, but emigration to W continued Nov 1989, ordered opening of the wall: tens of

thousands crossed to visit families, shop with W German supplied money

Reunification: almost instant E German communist party government discredited

Corruption exposed among officials Changed name to social democratic party

Free elections 1990: conservative majority Wanted reunification Helmut Kohl (W German chancellor) had to deal with it EEC accepted idea of unified Germany; then USSR, UK, US, France

Rapid unification BUT still dealing with problems

Combining economies, weakened W German Integration of “communist” thinking E Germans NOT instant wealth and infrastructure

Czechoslovakia: Velvet Revolution Change of rule

After 1968 invasion, hard line communist rule 20 years; opponents imprisoned

Popular pressure from demonstrations and well organized political opposition

Older leadership resigned, younger communists replaced, but proposed reforms inadequate

End of political dominance of Communism Vaclav Havel, playwright, lead group

Civic Forum Changes: inclusion of noncommunists

in government,elimination of Marxist education, removal travel restrictions and censorship

USSR, communist govt, Warsaw pact states denounced invasion of 1968, forced resignation of president Husak put in then; free election : Dubcek returned to chair Parliament, Havel elected president

Violent change: Romania Ceausescu dictator for over 25

years One party Stalinist, with total

centralized economic control, at odds with Gorbachev reform

Army and loyal security force Closest relatives in high

positions where corruption profit

Timisuara (W Romania) incident Clergyman tried to protect

Hungarians living there Security forces tried to arrest

him: demonstrations Security fired upon

demonstrators: 100’s + casualties

Bucharest support rally Vs Ceausescu; within one week, full

rebellion Fighting between army supporting

revolution and security forces loyal to C Revolutionaries gained control of tv,

broadcast reports of revolution to world End of Ceausescu

Tried to flee country with wife, captured Secretly tried, executed Christmas day

1989 Fighting ended, provisional government

announced free elections for spring Consequences: Unrest until elections put in

new government

Political Change: USSRGorbachev proposed

reform Strong presidency

eventually by election in Supreme Soviet

Wanted political base NOT Communist Party

Didn’t want to abandon communism or socialism, but did want genuine competition

New political forces not under G’s control Conservatives

who wanted to preserve influence of Party and army, Deplored political and social turmoil, economic ills 1990-91, G appoints many to key government posts

Disillusioned Communists favoring swift change Spokesman: Yeltsin, elected Russian Republic Pres Supported market economy and more democracy

Groups Pressing for change in Republics Discontent in past repressed by military, party action Initially: Baltic Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania

Independent til eve of WWII when Soviet/German nonaggression pact gave them to USSR

Soviet Islamic republics Rebellion in Azerbaijan, Tajikistan Gorbachev failure to negotiate new arrangements between

republics and central govt added to discontent

August 1991 Coup Conservative attempt to seize power

Those Gorbachev named into government Army occupied Moscow, Gorbachev

confined (arrested) when on vacation in Crimea

Boris Yeltsin reaction Climbed on tank in front of Russ Parliament

Building to denounce coup attempt End of Coup 2 days later

Army refused orders to assassinate Yeltsin Gorbachev back to Moscow, but humiliated Large demonstration celebrated failure of coup Yeltsin became dominant political figure

Yeltsin vs Conservative Hardliners December 25,1991 USSR dissolved:

Commonwealth of Independent States; G out Yeltsin most powerful as leader of largest state Popularity through 1992, but no economic miracles,

declined Opposition coalesced in parliament with old

Communist powers 1993 Rebellion

Sept 1993 Yeltsin suspended parliament; it deposed him Parliament tried to incite popular uprising vs Y in Moscow Military supported Yeltsin Troops and tanks surrounded Parliament building, fired

on building, killing 100+ , and crushing revolt 1993 vote: new parliament and constitution with strong

president

Russ Federation: Economic Woes Where’re the income producing enterprises?

Most nonfreezing ports, consumer goods factories, oil and gas pipelines, and a significant portion of the high-tech enterprises (including nuclear power stations) = outside of Russia, in the newly independent states.

Russia's domestic industries were mainly focused on heavy and military branches.

Russia took responsibility for settling USSR's external debts, although population just half of the population of the USSR at time of dissolution.

The largest state enterprises (petroleum, metallurgy, and the like) controversially privatized for $US 600 million, far less than worth.

And Onward: Russian Federation’s continuing problems Continuing Communist unrest

Still old bureaucracy and institutions, including army

Corruption and lack of control of criminals No economic miracles; slow progress

Unrest in member republics Rebellion in republics wanting independence Persecution of ethnic minorities Muslim unrest in So republics Economic woes in republics, with consumer

shortages, unemployment

Conflict with Chechnya Chechnya declared independence, 1991

Corruption of Dedayev regime(dictator) Persecution of non checnyans: Russ leave, killed Slave trade and criminal activity

First Chechnyan War Yeltsin ordered 400,000 troops to retake

Chechnya 1994; not prepared for heavy fighting Hostage taking in hospital, attacks against

remaining Russian soldiers after pull out; Dedayev killed in air raid

Negotiated de facto independence, but not enough for separatists,

Second Chechnyan War Suicide attacks and bomb attacks on apartment buildings; Putin ordered troops in as part of “War on Terrorism” after 9/11 Since then, continuing terror attacks; Russ army holds most of

area: Theater hostage taking Moscow 2002 (700 hostages) Beslan school hostage crisis: 1200 taken, 330 killed brutally

Collapse of Yugoslavia: Civil War 1980 Tito’s death: instability

Six national groups (Serb, Croat, Slovene, Montenegrin, Macedonian, Muslim Bosnian)

3 religious groups (Croat and Slovene = Catholic, Latin alphabet; Serb, Montenegran., Macedonian = E Orthodox, Cyrillic alphabet; Bosnians Muslim)

Only held together by Tito cult of personality + power sharing

Ethnic divisions reemerge Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Macedonia pushed for

independence from the Yugoslavia in 1990 No strong leader to unite all groups, because Tito repressed Nationalist leaders (Slobodan Milosevic, Communist nationalist in

Serbia, others) encouraged ethnic strife to gain power; 1990: Milosovic refused independence of other provinces because

wanted power. Macedonia and Croatia

Balkan Wars Renewed-- 1990’s Serb contention vs Croats

and Slovenes Croatia and Slovenia

independence 1990; violence from Serbia—

Milosovic, using Yugoslav army, determined to keep Yugoslav state to dominate,

Serbia accused Croatia of persecution of Serbs living there

Croatia accused Serbia of maintaining Stalinist regime

War between Serbia and Croatia Milosovic attacked Croatia 1991 Croatian and Serbian forces determine to divide

Bosnia/Herzegovina Muslims in Bosnia crushed between forces;

Serbs, especially, “ethnic cleansing” to eliminate Muslims (killed, raped, removed)

Bombing of Sarajevo (capital of Bosnia /Herzegovina) by Serbs to eliminate Moslem Bosnian government; other places Croats fighting to take areas of Bosnia (where Croats lived).

US and NATO intervention Mediation and sanctions little impact After marketplace bombings killed many in 1994,

NATO ultimatum if Serbs didn’t withdraw from around Bosnian capital

1994 NATO bombing strikes (first ever by NATO) pushed back Serbs: Dayton Accords end war, continued NATO forces peacekeeping there

Kosovo Kosovo was an autonomous province within Yugoslavia with the majority of the

people Albanian, but with a small population of Serbs, who considered Kosovo historically sacred land.

In 1989 Milosevic, in Serbian nationalist fashion, removed Kosovo’s autonomous status.

In 1996, the Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA), ethnic Albanians, attacked Serbian leaders in Kosovo. Serbian forces retaliated, massacring ethnic Albanians with horrible atrocities on both sides.

The U.S., NATO allies, and Russia tried to settle the conflict. Madeleine Albright declared, "We are not going to stand by and watch the Serbian authorities do in Kosovo what they can no longer get away with doing in Bosnia."

Albanians eventually agreed to a peace plan, but Milosevic refused. U.S. and NATO forces bombed the area to force the Milosevic government to comply (1999).

Milosevic lost the 2000 elections, later put on trial at the Hague by a international tribunal for "ethnic cleansing" he enforced, died during trial.