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National Resurgence
National sentiment
reforms affecting nationalism
impact of Gorbachev’s purges
National Sentiment
There were 15 Republics in the Soviet Union. These consisted of various national and ethnic groups
Reforms affecting nationalism
The late 1980s and early 1990s were characterised by increased nationalism alongside extensive reforms. This phenomenon arguably contributed to the fall of the Soviet Union.
Impact of Gorbachev's purges
After Gorbachev’s purges, he frequently replaced the local supporters who had worked for Brezhnev with his own supporters, who were usually ethnic Russians.
At the top, Gorbachev’s Politburo only had one member who was not Russian. This led to discontent in the regions of the Soviet Union.
When the Russian leaders took over, this coincided with a decline in living standards in the Republics. People blamed the Russian leaders for these economic problems.
Glasnost and Nationalism
Glasnosts impacts on citizens
nationalism
activism
impact of nationalist movements
Glasnost impact on citizens
Glasnost was the policy of ‘openness’ under Gorbachev.
Because the government revealed Stalin’s poor treatment of national minorities, many were very angry.
Soviet citizens also became increasingly aware of how bad their living conditions were compared to those in the West.
Nationalism
Nationalist groups in the regions could publish anti-Russian material more freely and demanded more freedom.
Activism
There were protests against the regime in 1988 in Azerbaijan and in 1989 Uzbeks killed Meskhetians, members of a Muslim minority group, while protests erupted in Georgia.
Environmental activism gathered pace following the explosion at Chernobyl.
In the Baltic states, popular resistance fronts developed as people sought their independence.
Impact of nationalist movements
Nationalist movements showed how unpopular the Communist Party and the USSR were becoming. Soviet forces were accused of either using too much force or not doing enough in different areas where violence erupted.
