Year Deficit in Billions of Rubles

19851986198719881989

37485790100

Collapse of the USSR

The collapse of the Eastern Bloc and then the Soviet Union itself came as a shock to the world. The emergence of the Soviet Union as a super power after WWII disguised its weaknesses. The Cold War meant that insecurities would intensify, increasing the need for protection which led to the Arms Race. Money was spent on weapons rather than the people during a time when trade with the West was limited. For protection, the Soviets also had to station large armies in Eastern Europe and support COMECON economies which were heavily subsidized. This created a huge drain on the economy. Many ethnic groups within the Soviet Union, especially the Baltic States of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, wanted total independence. In the 1970’s the USSR appeared stronger. Its nuclear weaponry rivaled the West, and the border issues were settled in the Helsinki Accords. The USSR also had more markets as the European colonies fell in Africa and Asia, giving the USSR more markets and resources. However, the nature of the communist economy led it to stagnation and many became disillusioned with it.

Gorbachev’s initial reforms included increasing technology, restructuring the economy (perestroika) and giving workers more freedom and incentives to encourage them to be more productive. To get the people to support him, he realized glasnost, openness, needed to occur. State censorship of the media was decreased beginning in the spring of 1986. Reception of foreign broadcasts was also allowed. As a result, the disaster of Chernobyl and the failures of the Afghanistan War had international attention. New investigative journalism exposed corruption within the Communist party elite. They had subsidized chauffeurs and other benefits that damaged their image in the public eye. There appeared more uncensored newspapers and journals. Books by former dissidents were published. Religion faced more tolerance as churches, mosques and synagogues were reopened.

1988-89 were the high points of Glasnost, as new political organizations were created, like the Democratic Union. In May, 1989, the Congress of People’s Deputies was elected in what were the first mostly open elections. Granted, only the communist party was represented, BUT there were more actual candidates for people to choose AND it was representative of different strands of public opinion. It also had complete freedom to debate and criticize the government’s policies. It also was able to select members for the new Supreme Soviet (the legislative branch of the Soviet Union). In February 1990, Article 6 was repealed from the Soviet Constitution; it had guaranteed the Communist Party the leading role in the USSR. This completely changed the foundation on which the USSR’s government was founded. Party officials had to have over 50% support of the voters in order to remain in office. In March, the majority of long term officials lost their positions. Gorbachev was elected the first Executive President of the USSR.

Despite Gorbachev’s efforts, Perestroika had not improved the economy. The USSR’s revenue steadily declined as inflation rose. The result was a growing shortage of goods and a decline in living standards.

People became more agitated as they had to wait in longer lines for poor quality goods. Gorbachev attempted to fight the problem of alcoholism in the USSR buy limiting the sale of Vodka. The government made money off of the tax on Vodka, so as the sales declined, so did the government revenue. People continued to drink Vodka on the Black Market for higher prices of which the government made no money from.

A Rise in Nationalism

The USSR was a federation of fifteen republics that spanned the continents of Europe and Asia. The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR) was by far the largest and most domineering. The reforms under Gorbachev and the collapse of communism in the Eastern Bloc led to a rise of nationalism in

many of the other Soviet Republic States. The collapse of the economy removed any incentive for them to stay within the federation. The Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania led the way. They had been part of the Russian Empire until its collapse in WWI, where they gained temporary sovereignty (something they had always sought while under the Russian Tsar). The Nazi-Soviet Nonaggression pact had a secret clause that divided Poland between the Nazis and Soviets, but it ALSO had a provision that gave Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania back to Russia. During WWII Hitler went back on his word and occupied the Baltic States, only for their occupation to change hands to the Soviets in 1944 when the Red Army drove the Nazis out. Once again, the Soviets forced the Russian language and culture upon the Baltics. They forced migration of the Baltic Peoples to different areas of the USSR, while sending ethnic Russians to the Baltics in an effort to better control the population. By 1989, the population broke down as follows: Estonia: 62% Estonian, 30% Russian…Latvia: 52% Latvian, 34% Russian…Lithuania 80% Lithuanian, and 10% Russian.

This picture on the left represents the forced migration of Estonians by the Soviet Union. It is outside of the Museum of Occupation in Tallinn, Estonia. To the right is a map of the migration routes. The small Baltic States are in the upper

left corner

In 1988 Popular Fronts, coalitions of reformers, formed in all three Baltic States and pushed for independence. The Latvian People’s Front demanded autonomy within the USSR, the Reform Movement of Lithuania announced their “moral independence” from the USSR and the Estonian Popular Front declared no confidence in the USSR. In February 1990, local elections were held throughout the USSR, and in the Baltic States, pro-independence candidates won. In March 1990, Lithuania declared independence, Estonia and Latvia followed in May. The Solidarity group in Poland offered their support.

This was not something Gorbachev expected, he wanted to save communism, not destroy it. He reacted strongly against the independence movements, and imposed an economic blockade against Lithuania. In January 1991 he had Soviet troops enter all three Baltic States, giving a weak pretext that he was searching for military deserters. In Vilnius, Lithuania, the troops seized the radio and television center, and killed 13 civilians. They faced massive public demonstrations and were forced to withdraw. President Bush contacted Gorbachev on January 11th 1991, expressing his concern over the situation. The Russian violence only strengthened the will of the nationalists to gain independence.

Transcaucasia and Central Asian Republics.

The picture on the left shows the funeral for ten of the thirteen killed at the radio/TV center in Lithunaia. The picture on the right shows the fortifications made to the Lithuanian Parliament to protect it against Russian troops. These fortifications and the posters would become a memorial in front of parliament to remember the fight for Lithuanian independence, seen below.

On August 21 Estonia declared Independence, and Lativa was not far behind. Then, on August 28th, 1991, the European communsity recognized the independence of the Baltic States. In September, the USSR recognized the independence of the Baltic States, but Russian troops did not leave until 1993-94. Meanwhile, the reast of the USSR was faling apart.

The openness of glasnost reopened historic ethnic tensions/conflicts. The most serious conflict erupted between the Christian Armenia and Muslim Azerbaijan. The Nagorno-Karabakh district was claimed and populated by Armenia; however, Stalin had given that area to Azerbaijan in 1923. Armenians held rallied in the winter of 1987-88 to demand its return. In February 1988, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh voted to merge with Armenia, after it was vetoed by Gorbachev. Anti-Armenian riots erupted in Azerbaijan and 32 people were killed. Gorbachev removed the leaders from both republics, but failed to find a solution which led to growing nationalism in both areas.

In early 1988 Armenian intellectuals formed the Karabakh Committee to organize a campaign to return to Armenia. In May, 1988, the anti-communist Pan-Armenian National Movement was founded, pushing for total independence from the USSR. In June 1988, against Gorbachev’s wishes, the Armenian Supreme Soviet supported the return of Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. This led to the creation of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan in July 1988. They fought for independence from the USSR and retention of Nagorno-Karabakh. Moscow took direct control of Nagorno-Karabakh in July 1988.

Gorbachev allowed the Supreme Soviet to decide the areas fate, which was decided in November 1989 to keep it in Azerbaijan control. Armenia’s Supreme Soviet decided to ignore this and began integrating the area into Armenia. Azerbaijan Popular Front organized a blockade against Armenia, which led to shortages of food and oil. Demonstration were held in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, and became violent against Armenians, 91 were killed. On January 19th 1990, Azerbaijan Popular Front seized government and communist party buildings and declared a state of emergency. Gorbachev declared martial law and sent

Soviet troops to restore the government. 26,000 troops entered Baku, smashing through barricades and attacking demonstrators, killing 130. The army gained control, but alienated Azerbaijan. Thousands of communist party members burned their party cards in protest.

Georgia Georgia set up their own Popular Movement On April 7th 1989 troops were sent into Tbilisi, Georgia after 100,000 had gathered in front of the government

offices calling for independenceo 19 killed, 200+ woundedo Radicalized nationalists

Kazakhstan 1986 Gorbachev replaced the local communist leader with a Russian fueled anger over feelings of Russian dominance Rioting broke out in December 1986 government arrested thousands in a brutal crackdown

Uzbekistan dismissed over 18,000 Uzbek communist party members who were also replaced with mostly

Russian officials Knew very little about Uzbekistan, their language or culture triggered rising nationalism and a push for independence

Moldova Democratic Movement of Moldova set up in 1989 support more cultural independence Popular Front of Moldova sprang up. It persuaded the Moldovian Supreme Soviet to adopt

Moldovian as the official state language March 1990, the Popular Front was the largest party for elections in the Supreme Soviet.

Ukraine second largest republic, and would doom the USSR if they chose independence Protests occurred in Lvov demanding more tolerance for Christians and culture Local communist authorities attempted to end the demonstrations Ukrainian Popular Front Movement (Rukh) was created in 1989 In October 1990 the Rukh declared complete independence

Belarus Belarus Popular Front established in 1988 Was a political party and cultural movement Demanded democracy and independence Discovered Mass Graves outside of Minsk, of those executed by Soviet gov. added fuel to

the fire Only independence would protect them from future atrocities

Russia Reformers won a majority in elections April 1990 Old USSR from 1920’s was a sinking ship Gorbachev’s rival, Boris Yeltsin, became leading politician in Russia and elected chairman

of Russian Congress June 12th 1990 (one month after Baltic States) declared Russia a sovereign state, and its

laws overshadowed those of USSR “Summer of Sovereignty” other republic followed Russia’s example

THE END Summer of Sovereignty forced Gorbachev to create a new Union Treaty in November 1990 March 1991, referendum held on a new union asked Soviets if they wanted a renewed federation of

equal stateso Baltics, Moldavia, Georgia & Armenia boycotted voteo Other republics supported it (74%)o The Army, Communist Party and KGB opposed Gorbachev’s leadership

August 18, 1991 – The opposition led a coup in Moscow when Gorbachev was on vacation Gorbachev was held in his vacation home…They said he was too sick to lead Coup was not supported by the people who demonstrated in the streets Yeltsin rallied crowds in Moscow against the coup, seen as a savior Coup fails in 2 days, plotters are arrested, one commits suicide The nine republics who had agreed to the new union, now refused to work with it December 1991, Ukraine voted on complete independence December 21st 1991 – Ukraine and others create the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) Gorbachev resigned on December 25th 1991, and the USSR officially ceased to exist on December

31st 1991.