...The collapse of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the disintegration of the USSR is undoubtedly the most significant development in world politics since the Second World War. In immediate terms, it has provoked widespread ideological confusion and demoralisation within the international workers' movement, and on the other side, gloating by the capitalist rulers and their apologists. The latter have used this event to step up their efforts to discredit socialism by identifying it with the bureaucratic dictatorship that has ruled over the Soviet Union since Stalin's rise to power in the 1920s. This, of course, is not something new. The capitalist rulers in the West have always argued that the totalitarian regime created by Stalin and maintained by his heirs was the inevitable consequence of the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917. The capitalists were greatly assisted in this task by the Stalinists' claim to represent the tradition of Marx and Lenin. The capitalists cynically accepted the Stalinists' description of their hideous police regimes as representing "socialism" in order to prejudice the workers of the West against socialism by identifying it with the denial of democratic freedoms, and to promote the idea that bourgeois parliamentary democracy is the highest embodiment of human freedom. While this bourgeois propaganda campaign certainly succeeded in discrediting Marxism and Leninism among large sections of working people in the imperialist democracies during...
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...few years of Gorbachev’s leadership, the focus of the regime had been on the economic and then political reform. Although there had been some concerns about nationalist resurgence, few predicted it would escalate and lead to the collapse of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev’s speech in 1986 stated that there was no longer any nationalities issue within the USSR as everyone was dedicated towards his reforms regardless of identity. This can be argued with the collapse of the USSR as it was brought on by movements within Lithuania, Ukraine, Georgia and Russia. However, the collapse of the USSR can also be argued by looking at the failure of Gorbachev’s economic reforms and political stagnation. The failure of acceleration and the reforms within the economy had an impact in the Republics where people began to question whether Gorbachev was committed towards the reforms as was required to to reinvigorate the economy. The reforms of Uskoreniye that was believed to be the gradualist approach to help to invigorate the economy failed. His estimates of national income were short by 2% and the initial measures of perestroika were having no effect. He blamed poor economic advice and the Republics were obstructing change, and this led to societal stagnation as the USSR began to experience shortages of food and higher prices for goods. By the summer of 1990, it was clear there was a major crisis in the economy. Most reformers now accepted that tinkering of the economy was over and only a rapid...
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...Ronald Reagan’s influence in the collapse of the Soviet Union I. Economic Policy Economic Recovery Plan After the U.S celebrated the victory and end of WWII, two of the world’s greatest superpowers would compete to be the biggest and the greatest of all time. It would prove to be the greatest struggle of political, social, economic, and ideological polices and plans, between the U.S and the USSR, the world had ever seen. This would soon be known as the inevitable Cold War. Amongst the major struggles of the war, one man would prove to have a great influence in collapsing the Soviet empire, Ronald Reagan. Ronald Reagan directly contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union through his economic, political, and military polices. (Dobson, 2005, p. 4). During Reagan’s administration, the Soviet Union was facing serious economic growth and policy issues. One of the more major issues the Soviets had was in economic manufacturing. The Soviet Union dictated how many factories people could own, as well as...
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...Which did more to cause the collapse of the Soviet Communism by 1991, developments inside or outside the USSR? 1991 marks the end of Soviet Communism. Leading to 1991, USSR started to lose support from the Eastern European as USSR was in a situation that provided them with undesirable economic situations, low living standards, political instability and lack of freedom. As a whole, the cause for these situations, thereby leading to the fall of Soviet Communism, can be categorized in two main reasons – developments inside of USSR, and developments outside the USSR. While the external developments such as role of Ronald Reagan & his policies, the Pope’s involvement, rise of non communist movements in Eastern Europe and price of oil and effects on USSR did played a significant role in breaking the Soviet Communism, it is still undeniable that the internal developments, mainly the USSR leaders’ (Brezhnev and Gorbachev) policies, made larger and more tangible impacts that raises the resentment and opposition to Soviet domination, causing it to fall apart. The developments inside the USSR therefore did more to cause the collapse of the Soviet Communism. To begin with, one of the early causes of the fall of communism is due to the stagnation period under Brezhnev where economy did not improve, or rather, declined (which can be seen from USSR’s continuous importing of grain from US). This stagnation was due to expanded military and neglected domestic economy. As a whole, this period...
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...To what extent was the fall of the Berlin Wall a result rather than a cause of the end of the Cold war? The dismantling of the Berlin Wall in Nov 1989 was one of the most symbolic acts of the Cold War. It was a symbol of the changes that had swept through Europe in 1989 and of the end of the divisions that had marked the essential character of the CW: the ideological split between capitalism and communism. In 1989, the DDR was 4o years old and the East German leadership was prepared to celerbraite its anniversary. At what should have been an event to consolidate the country, the tide was turning against the regime. Gorbachevs reforms had important consequences for the existence of E germany as a separate country. The DDR was a product of Cold War tensions, which had prevented the unification of Germany after WW2. Without these tensions there seemed little reason for Germany to remain divided. Honecker recognized that the DDR could still have a reason to exist if it remained socialist and therefore different from W Germany. Honecker was not in favour of any reform, but the E german population could not be isolated from events in the rest of euope. Large numbers of East Germans had fled from the counrty via Hungary during the summer of 1989, but even more serious for the government were those who were staying put. Gorbys reforms of communism in the Usr had encouraged many E Germanys to push for change. Political groups were formed with huge crowds of demonstrators shouting...
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...Which was more responsible for the downfall of the USSR, impersonal economic and social forces or words and actions of key individuals? Command Word: Which Given Factor: impersonal economic and social forces or words and actions of key individuals? Given Event: downfall of the USSR Focus word: more responsible Introduction: * Background Information: The downfall of the USSR in the year 1991 was due to the convergence of many factors, mainly the impersonal economic forces and the words and actions of key individuals. * Definitions: * Downfall of USSR: the collapse of the Soviet union in the year 1991 * Impersonal economic and social forces: Economic and Social forces not in relation to any particular person at all * Words and actions of key individuals: The people in power creating a situation which allowed many bad repercussions to occur * More responsible: had more significance in resulting in the downfall of the USSR. * Argument outline: * 1: Impersonal economic and social forces had more responsibility in the downfall of USSR as they created unforeseen circumstances which could not be averted * 2: Words and Actions of Key individuals in the Soviet Union had more responsibility as they had full control of the economic circumstance in the Soviet Union. * 3: Words and actions of Key individuals in the USSR had more responsibility as they provoked the masses into a social revolution. * Stand: Impersonal economic...
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...Julian Zille History Essay – collapse of the Berlin Wall 5/15/2016 ------------------------------------------------- The collapse of the Berlin Wall in 1989 was undoubtably the most important event in Europe that signified the end of USSR's autocratic control of Eastern Europe, and certainly marked the climax of revolutionary changes in Eastern Europe. Resistance to the Soviet Government's reign over its Eastern-European satellite states had increased dramatically after Gorbachev's transition into power and the end of the Cold War, until the 'coup de grace' which was the fall of the Wall signified what was to be the end of the USSR's communist control over Eastern Europe. Events across Eastern Europe, such as the formation of Solidarity in Poland, the dismantling of the Iron Curtain and mass demonstrations across Eastern Europe had all lead up to the final and most significant event of resistance in Europe: the fall of the Berlin Wall. After the end of the Cold War, the USSR along with its satellite states was going down a negative spiral: its resources were drained by the arms race with the USA and by the USSR's involvement in the war in Afghanistan, agricultural production and public services were poor and the people were consequently demoralized. These flaws in the USSR had parallel effects to its satellite states in Eastern Europe. The people in the USSR and Eastern Europe were increasingly frustrated and critical of the communist government in place. This frustration...
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...RESEARCH PROPOSAL Topic of the research paper: ‘Human Rights Protection in the Post-Communist Countries: the Disquieting Case of the Baltic States’ Why this topic? 1. The Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, are ex-communistic countries that were reborn as self-determined nation-states 16 years ago, in 1991. Major economical, political and social changes that were caused by the ’Big Bang’, i.e. the collapse of USSR, have resulted in several legal and social issues in the societies that need to be researched and analysed. 2. The Baltic States are the member states of the United Nations and European Union and thus face serious obligations concerning human rights protection arising from several ratified international treaties. So far the feedback from the UN has pointed out various important shortcomings in the population policies and legislation, particularly concerning minorities’ issues. 3. Russia, as the official succession state of the former USSR is interested in keeping the constant pressure on the Baltic States by sending out signals to the international community about alleged on-going discrimination of Russian minority groups. 4. The topic has become the target of both, international and national interest, due to the recent events (e.g. April riots in Estonia) which requires Estonia, but also other Baltic States, to reconsider and revise the whole population policy and human rights legislation. These aforementioned reasons and the overall need to develop...
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...Explain why Soviet control of Hungary caused an uprising in 1956. Explain why Stalin decided to blockade Berlin in 1948. Explain why there was a growing involvement of the USA in Europe from 1945-48 Explain why relations between the USA and USSR changed in the years 1948–53. Explain why relations between the USA and USSR worsened in the years 1947–49. Explain why relations between the USA and USSR worsened in the years 1949–55 Explain why there was an uprising in Hungary in 1956. Explain why Cuba was a flashpoint in the Cold War in the years 1961–62. Explain why Czechoslovakia was a flashpoint in the Cold War in 1968. Explain why relations between the Soviet Union and the USA changed in the years 1961-63 Explain why relations between Cuba and the USA worsened in the years 1959–61 Explain why there was a crisis over Cuba in 1962. Explain why Soviet and Warsaw Pact forces invaded Czechoslovakia in 1968. Explain why Berlin was a Cold War flashpoint in the years 1957–63. Explain why the relationship between Reagan and Gorbachev in the years 1985–88 helped to end the Cold War. Explain why relations between the USA and the Soviet Union changed in the years 1980–84 Explain why the USSR loosened its grip in eastern Europe from 1985-90 Explain why détente collapsed in the years 1979–84 Explain why relations between the USA and Soviet Union changed in the years 1983–87. Explain why relations between the USA and Soviet Union changed in the years 1979–83. Explain...
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...era of the new conflict between two major states: United States of America (USA) and Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR). According to Hobsbawm, ‘cold war’ was the constant confrontation of the two super powers which emerged from the Second World War. At that time the entire generation was under constant fear of global nuclear battles. It was widely believed that it could break out at any moment. (Hobsbawm, 1994) The consequences of the ‘power vacuum’ in central Europe, created by the defeat of Germany, gave rise to these two super powers (Dunbabin, 1994). The world was divided into two parts. The USSR controlled the zone occupied by her Red Army or other communist armed forces. On the other hand, USA exercised control and dominance over the rest of the capitalist world as well as the western hemisphere and the oceans. (Hobsbawm, 1994) It is rather very difficult to argue that a particular country like the USA has won the cold war completely. Cold war gave birth to lots of problems in the world. During the cold war period, various events occurred subsequently. So the whole period was a combination of different issues and various factors related to it. Yet, evaluating the climax and the aftermath situation of the cold war, it can be argued that USA and its allies have succeeded to a great extent. On the other hand, as a consequence of the cold war, USSR has suffered extensively. The Soviet system of socialism collapsed. It has lost some of its reigns. However, USA has faced...
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...with Eisenhower’s new look policy and the USSR’s approach to Hungary. One argument suggests that peaceful coexistence did ease cold war tensions due to the superpower negotiations. Between 1953-61 there was improved relations between the USSR and USA, they were more willing to meet, and despite it not being the leaders, representatives from both countries met at the Geneva conference in 1954. It was then in 1955 at Geneva again that both superpower leaders met for the first time in 10 years. Despite not agreeing anything of substance, it is worth noting that this was the first step in the right direction which lead to many key agreements and reforms over the following years. Camp David in 1959 was the largest step towards permanent peaceful coexistence, the leader of the USSR was invited over to the USA where both superpower leaders met. Despite the superpower negotiations there was nothing of substance that was ever agreed and peaceful coexistence rapidly collapsed in 1960. Peaceful coexistence did ease cold war tensions in 1953-61 due to key agreements and reforms. It was no coincidence that peaceful coexistence began in 1953 after Stalin’s death, his hard-line approach meant that nothing was ever agreed. With Khrushchev now leader of the USSR, there were more key agreements and reforms...
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...Human trafficking and exploitation have been in existence since the beginning of time. This paper focuses on the underground economy of human trafficking and its relation to the transitioning economies of Russia and Ukraine. To understand the scope of the issue of human trafficking on transitioning economies, the history and origination of the issue must be clearly understood. The emergence of human trafficking, also commonly referred to as modern day slavery, can be dated back to the beginning of the 20th century; the start of slavery when humans were trafficked for mainly for labor. Records of human slavery within Europe date back to ancient Greece and Rome, but the practice did not end in ancient history. There are long-standing historical precedents for the exploitation of Slavs within Western Europe. It is commonly perceived that slavery disappeared from Europe many centuries ago. There was little knowledge of the active slave market in Palermo Sicily, with slaves being brought from Africa until the middle of the nineteenth century. Much of the slave trade was ran by legitimate actors and companies sanctioned by the state. An active slave trade with Africa flourished in the large colonial powers of Europe such as England and some of the smaller colonial powers such as Portugal. In addition to Africans, indigenous American populations were also enslaved in the colonies of Central and South America and the Caribbean. When the importation of slaves was outlawed in the colonies...
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...European states. It was established in 1949 upon the formation of the North Atlantic Treaty. Today, it is one of the most important international organizations in the world, primarily safeguarding the freedom and security of its member nations. However, it initially began after World War II ended and the fear of the spread of Communism loomed. The aftermath of World War II consisted of many devastating events, including the divide of Europe. As soon as World War II ended in 1945, conflict between Western nations and Communist Eastern nations began. Western nations included the United States, France, and Great Britain, while the bloc of Communist Eastern nations consisted of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, better known as the USSR. As the USSR established pro-Soviet governments across many of the territories it had taken during World War II, Western nations began to prevent the spread of Soviet nations throughout Europe fearing the expansion of Communist influence in the divided continent. Eventually, in 1947, the United States established a diplomatic initiative that provided aid to friendly nations to help rebuild their war-stricken economies and infrastructures. This plan was known as the Marshall Plan. As time passed, the United States Government developed a more and more hostile stance toward the Soviet Union. Their fears became a reality when the Soviet Union sponsored a coup that overthrew the existing democratic government of Czechoslovakia and established a Communist...
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...y Slide 1: Soviet Revolution Slide 2: 1905 - First Liberal Movements • ‘Bloody Sunday’: Workers wanted an improvement of their living conditions and claimed the necessity of a National Constituent Assembly. They went out to the front of the palace and showed their disagreement with the Tsar. • Tsar Nicholas II ordered his army to shoot against those people but, because of the population pressure, he had to create a parliament. Slide 3: The Parliament (Duma) had three parties: • The Constitutional Democratic Party – Kadett; • The Socialist Party – Mensheviks; • The Social Democratic Party - Bolsheviks. However, despotism remained in the Soviet regime and the Tsar controlled the parliament. Slide 4: 1917 - February Revolution • Kadett, with the population massive support, created a revolution. Again, Tsar ordered his army to shoot but, this time, they refused to do it. • Tsar’s army joined the revolution and the revolution won power against him. • It was implemented an interim government headed by Kadett. • Kadett intended to implement Liberalism. Slide 5: Monarchic Absolutist Regime -» Interim Government Slide 6: 1917 – October Revolution • Lenin returns from exile with the purpose to end with Liberalism and to impose Communism. • Lenin joins Trotsky and both lead a group of Bolsheviks that assault the parliament. • Through force, the Bolshevik Party dissolved the parliament (violence...
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...The Arms Race Arsenal A-Bomb (US 1945, USSR 1949) H-Bomb (US 1952, USSR 1953) ICBM (US 1957, USSR 1958) 1957 : USSR launch first satellite “Sputnik”into space. “Missile Gap” paranoia in USA ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missiles intercept & destroy nukes in theory)(USSR 1968, USA 1972) MIRV (USA 1970, USSR 1975) -Stockpiling of nuclear weapons seen as necessary by both parties -Technological advances made both USA & USSR feel vulnerable -Secrecy, need to catch up or to be one step ahead = fuelled arms race -This (building increasingly powerful & sophisticated weapons) continued until 1980s Key Ideas : Nuclear weapons have crucial impact on US foreign policy during Cold War : -gave rise to arms race (essential feature of CW, maintains CW hostility) -revolutionized military strategy -imposed great economic strain (hence end of CW? Debatable) Brodie (1946) “The Absolute Weapon” Main idea : before nukes the purpose of military = win wars after nukes the purpose of military = avoid wars Military victory in total war impossible for either side US Presidents develop different strategies on what to do with their nuclear arsenal Eisenhower & “Massive Retaliation” = the US will use every weapon if attacked, despite the consequences = the threat of an all-out nuclear war used to make sure it wouldn’t happen ? Kennedy & “Flexible Response” =exploring wider options beyond military forces Sec of State McNamara’s belief in possibility of limited, controlled and rational (...
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