Case study - Fall of USSR

Question 1

How did the USSR become so powerful?

Answer 1

1. large amount of money spent on military + space race = presence across globe due to huge military
2. USSR large labour workforce
3. 1945 fastest growing economy in world at time
4. allies across East E

Question 2

Why did USSR collapse?

Answer 2

1. poor economy stagnated and declining = huge money spent on space + arms race
2. led to riots/demonstrations across USSR
3. 1985 glasnost + perestroika create problems = reform to economy to late and people challenged CP

Question 3

Why has state of Russia become powerful again?

Answer 3

1. Russia has word’s largest known reserves of natural gas + 2nd largest oil producer = 60% of Russia’s exports in 2007 = fund Russia recovery
2. loans from IMF = prevent eco collapse during 1990s
3. Huge development in China + India led to rapid demand for energy = importing energy resources from Russia