Section 1

The Soviet Union Under Stress

The Soviet Union could not survive a combination of domestic and foreign problems.

Section 1

• Leonid Brezhnev believed strongly in communism and was not interested in reform.

• Brezhnev established the Brezhnev Doctrine, which claimed that the Soviet Union had the right to intervene if communism was threatened in another Communist state.

The Soviet Union Under Stress (cont.)

Section 1

• During Brezhnev’s leadership, the United States and the Soviet Union experienced a period of détente.

• Soviet leaders relaxed their authoritarian rule but still punished dissidents.

• The period of détente collapsed in 1979 when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan.

The Soviet Union Under Stress (cont.)

Section 1

• President Ronald Reagan referred to the Soviet Union as an “evil empire” and began a military buildup and new arms race.

The Soviet Union Under Stress (cont.)

Section 1

Gorbachev and Reform

Gorbachev’s reforms contributed to the end of the Cold War and of the Soviet Union.

Section 1

• A new era in the Soviet Union began with the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev.

• Gorbachev focused on radical economic and political reforms based on perestroika, or restructuring.

• Gorbachev set up a new Soviet parliament with elected members and created a new state presidency.

Gorbachev and Reform (cont.)

Section 1

• In 1987, Gorbachev made a deal with the United States to eliminate intermediate-range nuclear weapons, which slowed the arms race.

• Gorbachev also stopped giving military support to Communist governments in Eastern Europe, which led to mostly peaceful revolutions throughout those countries.

Gorbachev and Reform (cont.)

Section 1

• In an attempt to hold onto their power, Soviet conservatives arrested Gorbachev and tried to seize power.

• Boris Yeltsin and thousands of brave Russians resisted the rebel forces.

• On December 1, 1991, Ukraine voted for independence. The leaders of Ukraine, Russia, and Belarusannounced the end of the Soviet Union.

Gorbachev and Reform (cont.)

Section 1

• Boris Yeltsin tried to introduce a free market economy, but organized crime, economic hardships, and social disarray made it difficult.

• Yeltsin used brutal force against the Chechens when the province tried to secede from Russia, and he tried to prevent former Soviet states from joining NATO.

The New Russia (cont.)

Figure 2

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• Vladimir Putin replaced Yeltsin at the end of 1999.

• Putin introduced reforms to boost growth and budget revenues. Russia joined the World Trade Organization and worked out a partnership with the European Union.

• Today, social issues such as rising alcoholism, criminal activities, and the decline of the traditional family are a cause of great concern in Russia.

The New Russia (cont.)

Section 1

• Russia still faces challenges with independence and terrorist movements in Chechnya.

• Russian troops killed the Chechen leader in 2006, but rebels have continued terrorist attacks.

The New Russia (cont.)

THE END

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