Theme 5 - Collapse of the USSR Flashcards
Gorbachev Becomes General Secretary of the CPSU?
March 1985
27th Party Congress
1986
What was announced at the 27th party congress?
New Programme for CPSU which introduced “Genuine democracy”
Gorbachev mention Brezhnev era as “stagnation”
When and what was Glasnost?
1986
Meaning “openess”. Restrictions removed from media and travel restrictions relaxed.
Crackdown on Alcoholism and Creation of Superministries
1985
Designed to streamline the economy
The 12th 5 year plan
1886
What was the purpose of the 12th 5 year plan?
Continuation of central planning + command economy
Law on Individual Economic Activity
+ what?
1986
Allowed families and individuals to make profit from small-scale work
Riots in Kazakhstan
Why?
December 1986
Kazahk First Secretary of the CP replaced with a Russian in anti-corruption campaign
Perestroika introduced
Jan 1987
What was perestroika?
Economic policy meaning “restructuring”.
Joint ventures between state and foreign companies allowed. Attempt to end stagnation
Law on state Enterprises
June 1987
Loosened control of the state
Gorbachev trials elections
1987
Suggests secret ballots and multiple candidates for local soviets
Boris Yeltsin attacks Gorbachev over slow pace of Reform?
Oct 1987
Boris Yeltsin sacked as Moscow Party Leader?
Nov 1987
Conservatives attack CPSU for slow pace of reform
1988 March
Co-operative enterprises legalised
Jan 1988
Allows people to set up small-scale private businesses
“Popular fronts” formed by Baltic Republics
April-October 1988
Nagorno-Karabagh problem between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Nov 1988
What was the Nagorno-Karabagh problem?
Armenian nationalists in Azerbaijan wanted to reunite with Armenia. Requested a redrawing of Borders to include the Nagorno-Karabagh region. Direct control from Moscow was imposed which resulted in mass migration. Both demanded independence from the USSR.
19th Conference of the CPSU
June 1988
What events occured at the 19th conference of the CPSU?
- Creation of the Congress of People’s deputies. Elected “Supreme Soviet” to supervise government. 2/3 of deputies elected were multi-candidate (not multi-party)
1/3 appointed by CPSU
State commission foro Economic Reform through a market-led economy
Jul 1989
This split the politburo
Elections for the Congress of Peoples Deputies
1989 March
What group did Boris yeltsin make after winning 89% of the vote in March elections?
Intra-Regional Deputies
They stood for reform. Wanted legalisation of private property and autonomy (self govern) of Republics of the Union.
What group rivaled the Intra-Regional Deputies?
Soyuz group
Conservative members of the party.
How many seats did the Communist Party win in the March 1989 elections for the Congress of Peoples Deputies?
80%
Many high ranking members were defeated
When was Gorbachev elected Chairman of the Supreme Soviet by the Congress of Peoples Deputies?
May 1989
500 Day Programme
Oct 1989
What was the 500 day programme?
Recommended to government for a full transition into a market economy in only 500 days.
Soviet Government reject but Russian Government accept.
Severe Price rises in the USSR due to Government Subsidies being cut
Apr 1990
Mass demonstrations for independence in Baltic States
Aug 1989
Nationalists campaign for independence throughout the USSR
Due to March 1989 elections
Demonstrations in Georgia
1989 Apri
Gorbachev appointed President of the USSR by People’s deputies
March 1990
Article 6 of the USSR constitution abolished
March 1990
Section that said that there could only be 1 political party (CPSU).
Elections in the Republics see non-communist victories
1990
Yelstin elected Chair of Russian Supreme Soviet
1990 March
Lithuania declares independence.
March 1990
Gorbachev refuse and imposes economic sanctions.
Yeltsin says Russian Laws are superior to Soviet Laws
May 1990
Yeltsin resigns from the CPSU
June 1990
28th Congress of CPSU
July 1990
Events of 28th Congress of CPSU
-Gorbachev talks of creating “civil society” for the USSR.
-Genuine democracy introduced
-free elections
- Multi-party system
- Human rights
Private ownership of property and business legalised
Jan 1991
Trading of stocks and shares legalised
1991 Apr
Yelstin announced programme of complete marketisation of Russian Economy
oct 1991
Troops sent to Lithuania. Yeltsin asks Russian soldiers to defy orders from Soviet Government to supress protests
Jan 1991.
Yeltsin elected president of RUssia
June 1991
New Union treaty announced. Lets republics vote to stay or leave USSR
March 1991
9 republics vote (6 refuse to participate)
Result is 75% FOR new treaty.
Georgia declares independence
Aprl 1991
Novo-Ogarevo Agreement
New draft of Union Treaty to allow more freedom in republics.
What was the Sinatra doctrine
Allowed members of the Warsaw Pact ( sattelite states) to determine own internal affairs.
Coup by CPSU against Gorbachev. Fails after 3 days
1991 Aug
Yeltsin main resistance to COup as Gorbachev kept prisoner in holiday home in Crimea.
Belarus, Moldavia, Ukrain, Azerbaijan and Kirgizstan gain indepence
Aug 1991
Yeltsin bans the CP in Russia and rejects Gorbachev’s new union treaty.
Nov 1991
Ukrain votes to leave USSR. Russia, Ukrain and Belarus form CIS
Dec 1991
Gorbachev resigns as president of USSR
25th December 1991
+USSR was dissolved
