Collapse of the USSR: Internal Problems by 1985

Question 1

Internal Problems (5)

Answer 1

• Agricultural decline
• Inefficient command economy and corruption
• Absenteeism, alcoholism and apathy from the people due to a failed belief in the system.
• The gerontocracy of the USSR was unlikely to make changes to the failing system
• The defence budget was preventing spending on infrastructure and goods. Thus these sectors lagged behind which hurt the economy.

Question 2

Defence Budget (3)

Answer 2

• Accelerated the decline of the economy
• The SDI further forced the Soviets to spend on defence
• Estimated that 10%-20% was spent on defence. The people’s needs were ignored which build resentment and anger