The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 1985-1991

Why did the Soviet Union collapse in 1991?

The collapse of the Soviet Union has widely been seen as the result of the arms race and Cold War, and the failure of the Soviet side to keep pace with new technology. This book argues that the disintegration was mainly a result of two interrelated factors: the rise of the Soviet national republics, and the manipulation of the new Russian presidency by Boris Yeltsin in what became a direct power struggle between Yeltsin and the Soviet leader, Gorbachev.

Written in a clear and accessible manner, the book provides:

• an explanation of how the national question came to dominate Soviet politics by 1990-1
• analysis of the economic crisis that occurred in the late 1980¿s
• a chapter devoted to the year 1991, from the referendum to reform the Soviet Union to the unforeseen dissolution of the country by December
• a discussion of the personalities of and political confrontation between the two key statesman: Gorbachev and Yeltsin

Also containing a Chronology, Glossary and Who¿s Who of key figures, The Collapse of the Soviet Union is essential reading for students of twentieth century European history.

 

David R. Marples is Professor of History at the University of Alberta.

The collapse of the Soviet experiment was one of the major turning points in twentieth century history. During the period of 'perestroika' the Soviet Union took the first steps to becoming a civil society and started to re-examine it's Stalinist past. This new title examines the Gorbachev years, asks why the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, and offers a succinct and accessible interpretation of the remarkable events that led to the collapse. Assessing the legacy of the USSR and the changes that have been wrought over the last decade, David Marples' new book provides the most complete history to date of the rise and fall of a great superpower. At the core of the book is the overarching idea of the Motherland, which fused two passionately-held beliefs and identities: Soviet and Russian society. Other key themes focus on the triumphs and the failures, New Soviet Man, and the contrasts between Moscow at the center and the rest of the sprawling empire, including the national problem. Provides background, offers analysis & assessment and includes original documents. For those interested in modern Russian history. Discount Code -- F

INTRODUCTION

PART ONE: BACKGROUND

1. GORBACHEV COMES TO POWER

Political Overview

Glasnost

Social, Environmental, and Nuclear Power Issues

PART TWO: THE YEARS OF PERESTROIKA

2. THE ECONOMY AND FOREIGN POLICY

The Economy, 1985-90

Acceleration and Anti-Alcohol Campaigns

Coal Miners¿ Strike

Economic Reform Programmes

Stagnation

The Pavlov Programme

Foreign Policy

Ideology and Propaganda

Arms Control

Architects of Soviet Foreign Policy

Eastern Europe

Ending the Cold War

 3. THE NATIONAL QUESTION

The Submerged Dilemma

Nagorno-Katabakh

The Baltic States

Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus

The Plenum on National Policy, September 1989

4. DOMESTIC POLITICS, 1989-MID-AUGUST 1991

The Congress of People¿s Deputies and New Presidency

The 28th Party Congress and Aftermath

The Referendum of 17 March 1991

Toward a New Union Treaty

5. THE PUTSCH AND THE COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

The Putsch, 18-21 August 1991

Administrative Changes

The Failure of the Union Treaty

Yeltsin Consolidates His Power

The Belavezha Agreement

PART THREE: ASSESSMENT

6. WHY DID THE SOVIET UNION COLLAPSE?

PART FOUR: DOCUMENTS

Chronology

Glossary

Who¿s Who

Guide to Further Reading