MCQ The End of Bipolarity Flashcards
When was Berlin Wall toppled?
9 Nov 1989
What did Berlin Wall symbolise?
division between capitalist and communist world
When was Berlin Wall built and which two areas did it separate?
It was built in 1961 and separated East Berlin and West Berlin
Full form of USSR
The Union of Soviet Socialists Republic
When did USSR come into being ?
It came into being after socialist revolution in Russia in 1917
Describe about Soviet Political System
-it gave primacy to the state and institution of the party
- it centred around the communist party and no other political party or opposition was allowed
- the state controlled and planned the economy
After the second world war which countries came under the control of USSR?
East European countries that the Soviet army had liberated from the fascist forces
Describe about the Soviet Economy
- It was then more developed than rest of the world except US
- It had complex communication network, vast energy resources including oil, iron and steel, machinery production and an efficient transport sector
- It had a domestic consumer industry that produced everything
How did Soviet State ensure a minimum standard of living for all citizens?
- The govt subsidised basic necessities including health, education, childcare and other welfare schemes
- There was no unemployment
- State ownership was the dominant form of ownership as land and productive assets were owned and controlled by the State
How did Soviet system become very bureaucratic and authoritarian?
There was lack of democracy and absence of freedom of speech
Communist Party had tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people
Party refused to recognise the urge of people in the 15 diff republics that formed the Soviet Union
Russia dominated everything
Describe the competition between Soviet Union and the West
In the arms race Soviet Union managed to match the US
It lagged behind in technology, infrastructure and most importantly in fulfilling the political and economical aspirations of citizens
How did Soviet system weaken?
Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in1979 weakened the system
Productivity and technology fell behind
There was a shortage in consumer goods
Food imports increased every year
Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?
General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in 1985
Which three republics declared their disbandment and when ?
Russia Ukraine and Belarus declared the Soviet Union was disbanded in December 1991 under the leadership of Yeltsin
