The End of Bipolarity

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms and concepts related to the end of the Cold War and the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Berlin Wall

A symbol of the Cold War that separated East and West Berlin and was torn down in 1989.

Second World

Refers to the socialist bloc led by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

Gorbachev

Last leader of the Soviet Union known for his reform policies of Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring).

Perestroika

Economic reform policy introduced by Gorbachev intended to restructure the Soviet economy.

Glasnost

Policy of openness and transparency in government introduced by Gorbachev.

Shock Therapy

A rapid transition from a socialist to a capitalist economy, often associated with privatization and market reforms.

CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States)

A regional organization formed after the disintegration of the Soviet Union to facilitate cooperation among former Soviet republics.

Bipolarity

A term describing the world balance of power structure during the Cold War, dominated by the two superpowers: the US and the USSR.

Warsaw Pact

A military alliance of communist nations in Eastern Europe, established in 1955, in response to NATO.

Economic Stagnation

A prolonged period of slow economic growth or no growth, which was a significant issue in the Soviet Union prior to its collapse.

Nationalism

A strong sense of pride and identity in one's nation, which became a driving force during the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Yeltsin

First President of Russia (1991-1999), known for opposing Gorbachev and leading Russia's transition to a market economy.

Central Asian Republics

Former Soviet republics that gained independence and faced various challenges post-disintegration.

Collectivization

The process of consolidating individual land and labor into collective farms, which was enforced by the Soviet government.

Great Terror

A campaign of political repression in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s, marked by widespread arrests and executions.

Capitalism

An economic system characterized by private ownership and market competition, which replaced communism in post-Soviet states.

Dissidents

Individuals who oppose official policy, especially in the political realm, often facing repression in authoritarian regimes.

Bolshevik Party

The faction of the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party that led the 1917 October Revolution, eventually becoming the Communist Party.