End of USSR Flashcards
What problems were met by the USSR?
By 1981 the USSR was 57.1 billion roubles in debt.
The Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic saw rises in nationalism from other coutries.
What happened in Baltic states?
Baltic states were in the Russian Empire and left after WWI, joining the USSR in 1940. In 1988 popular fronts were set up and by Feb 1990 there were elections, with Lithuania and Estonia independent by March, followed by Latvia in May.
In April 1990, Gorbachev economically blockaded Lithuania, and in 1991, January, troops entered and seized the radio and tv centre, Vilnius, with 53 dead. On 11 Jan, Bush expressed concern.
What happened to Armenia and Azerbaijan?
Armenians rallied in 1987-8 for Azerbaijan occupied Nagorno-Karabakh district and in February 1988, after riots in capital city, Stepanakert, a merge was voted with Armenia, vetoed by Gorbachev. Karabakh committee set up in 1988 by Armenians, with Azerbajans establishing a Popular Front in July.
In July 1988, Moscow’s Supreme Soviet would decide. In November, it was decided it would return to Azerbaijani control, and the Armenian Supreme Soviet ignored this, integrating territory into Armenia, leading to rail blockades and demonstrations from the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, with 91 killed. The Popular Front seized government buildings, and Soviets sent 26,000 on 19 January, killing 130. As a result, people condemned Communism, burning cards.
What happened to Georgi?
In Georgi, 7-8 April 1989, troops were sent to Tbilisi, Georgia, with 100,000 gathered in front of government offices calling for independence. 19 were killed, and 200 wounded.
What happened to Kazakhstan?
In Kazakhstan, 1986, their ethnic leader was replaced by a Russian, with protests on 16 December. In Uzbekistan, 18,000 Communist Party leaders were replaced with Russians, creating a nationalist rise.
What happened in Moldovia?
The Democratic Movement of Moldova, 1988, wanted recogised Moldovan language and traditions, and by may 1989, the Popular Front of Moldova was formed with Supreme Leader making it the official language on 31 Aug 1989.
What happened in West Ukraine?
In Lvov, West Ukraine, there was protest to tolerate Christians and culture, and demonstrations were attempted to be surpressed. By 1989, Rukh, Popular Front Movement, made, and by October 1990 made its goal independence.
What happened in Belarus?
In Belarus, 1988, they established Popular Fronts and demanded independence, with mass graves outside Minsk discovered, people having been killed by NKVD during Stalin.
What happened to Russia? What was the response to the Union Treaty?
In March-April 1990, Congress of People’s Deputies was established, with Boris Yeltsin the Chairman by 12 June. Laws took place by Congress over Supreme Soviet. In November 1990, Union Treaty was set, with March 1991 referendum boycotted by Baltic states, Moldovia, Georgia, and Armenia, with other countries voting 74%.
When was the coup, 1991? What did Ukraine do?
Gorbachev was criticised by KGB, army members, and party members, and reformers led by Yeltsin. On 18-19 June there was coup 2 days before the Union Treaty, with Gorbachev in Crimea. It was put down by Yeltsin and the public, and Communist party was made illegal.
Ukraine refused the Union Treaty and became independent in December 1991, and the Commonwealth of Independent States was established in December 1991.
