Soviet Union

What man became the leader of the Soviet Union after Leonid Brezhnev died?

Mikhail Gorbachev.

What does the term “glasnost” mean?

"Openness" in government policies and practices.

Identify the ways that Gorbachev allowed openness in the USSR

1. Churches were opened, 2. dissidents were released from prison, 3. banned books were re-published

What would this new openness in the USSR allow Soviet citizens do?

Allow Soviet citizens to express their opinions freely about the economy and the government.

What does “perestroika” mean?

Economic restructuring and reform.

How did Gorbachev plan to restructure the economy?

Allow small private businesses and capitalism.

What did Gorbachev hope to do with his policy of democratization?

Gradually reopen the political system by allowing more voter rights for members of the legislative body of the communist party.

What problems did Gorbachev’s policies of glasnost, perestroika and democratization lead to in the USSR?

A desire for communism to end and democracy to come in, and revolts based upon ethnic tensions.

What nations were the first to break away from the USSR?

Lithuania , Latvia, and Estonia.

What happened to the USSR?

It collapsed in 1991 leading to the end of communism.

What happened to Gorbachev?

He was forced to step down from power.

What was the CIS?

Commonwealth of Independent States, the former satellite nations became independent but formed a federation of republics.

Who became the leader of Russia once the USSR collapsed?

Boris Yeltsin.

What was Boris Yeltsin’s plan of “shock therapy” set up to do?

Shift very quickly to a free market, capitalist society.

Did “shock therapy” work?

No, there was no infrastructure to support it and the economy failed.

Why is Russia fighting with the region of Chechnya today?

Chechnya wants independence from Russia. It is a largely Muslim area and Russia fears terrorist activity, plus it is an oil pipeline.

Who is the president of Russia today?

Vladimir Putin.

What is the status of Russia’s democracy and economy today?

The economy is improving, the last election wasn’t free, and drugs and organized crime are a problem.