Collapse of Communism

Question 1

Who was the leader of the USSR from 1985?

Answer 1

Mikhail Gorbachev

Question 2

When was Mikhail Gorbachev brought into power?

Answer 2

1985

Question 3

Beliefs of Gorbachev (4)

Answer 3

• Was a realist and idealist
• Wanted a reform communist to improve the lives of people in the bloc
• Believed the only way communism will survive is if it works for the people
• Wanted cooperation in world affairs

Question 4

Actions of Gorbachev (3)

Answer 4

• Tried to introduce reforms and modernize the Soviet economy
• Worked with western leaders (Margaret Thatcher, Ronald Reagan & Pope John Paul II)
• Withdrew tanks troops and aircrafts from eastern bloc

Question 5

What was Glasnost? (3)

Answer 5

• Social and political reforms
• More freedom of media and political expression
• Exposed Stalin’s harsh regime

Question 6

What was Perestroika? (6)

Answer 6

• Economic, political and cultural reforms
• Private ownership of land and industry
• Reduce state control over exports and imports
• Allow foreign trade with non-bloc countries
• Investments in Russian business
• Increase in production and trade of soviet goods

Question 7

Who was the new leader of USA from 1981-1988?

Answer 7

Ronald Reagan who was harsh on communism

Question 8

How did tensions ease?

Answer 8

Reagan increased military spending but Gorbachev couldn’t compete so tensions eased

Question 9

When did communism fall?

Answer 9

25 dec 1991 - Gorbachev resigned and recognized fall of the USSR

Question 10

Reasons for fall of Communism (5)

Answer 10

• People power
• Change of leadership
• Globalization
• Economic
• Independent actions from bloc countries

Question 11

What was people power? (2)

Answer 11

• Solidarity movement
• Sept to Nov 1989 - mass protests in East Germany

Question 12

What was change of leadership?

Answer 12

Gorbachev promoted anti communist reforms and accepted fall of USSR

Question 13

What was globalization?

Answer 13

• Solidarity caught the west’s attention and got international support

Question 14

What were the economic reasons?

Answer 14

Afghan war and Red Army was an economic drain

Question 15

What were the independent actions from eastern bloc?

Answer 15

• In 1989/1990 revolutions, free elections and other acts of defiance from multiple bloc countries (Poland, Hungary & Romania)
• Many countries declared independence (Ukraine, Latvia, Hungary & Poland)