Communism Flashcards
What was the Soviet Union?
The Soviet Union (USSR) was a communist country from 1917 to 1991 that was dominated by Russia.
What leader tried to reform the Soviet Union?
Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, tried to reform (fix/update) the communist system.
What were his ideas for the economy?
Gorbachev wanted to reduce government control of the economy and give the people more freedom. His reforms were called GLASNOST and PERESTROIKA. His changes released a pent-up demand by the people for freedom, and the entire, rotten, government collapsed.
What is the best description of communism?
One party – the communist party – controls both the government and the economy. This is a totalitarian form of government (similar to a dictatorship), because the government has complete control of the people.
What was the Cold War?
A period of extreme tension and distrust between the USA and its allies and the Soviet Union (USSR) and its captive allies. It started after World War II (which ended in 1945) and lasted until the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. No shots were fired by the USA and USSR directly at each other, which is why it is referred to as a “cold” war.
How was religion affected during the communist era?
Churches and other places of worship were closed in the USSR by the communist government, and people were not allowed to openly practice their religions. (Many did in secret.)
What was the Berlin Wall?
A wall that divided East Berlin and West Berlin. West Berlin was part of free West Germany, and East Berlin was part of communist East Germany. The East Germans and Soviet Union built the wall to keep East Berliners from escaping to West Berlin. The wall was also a powerful symbol of the Cold War.
What were the big results of the break-up of the Soviet Union?
The country broke-up into 15 newly independent nations, the largest of which was Russia. Some of these new nations (such as Ukraine) became democracies and moved to market economies/free enterprise economies.
What is a Free Enterprise economy?
The people decide what to produce, who produces it, and where to sell it (unlike a communist system where the government decides these things). Government interference is usually small except for regulations such as dealing with safety.The USA has a free enterprise economy which creates high living standards.
What type of power did the Soviet government have? Limited or Unlimited?
Unlimited
