Transcript Slide 1
War and Revolution Expansion East • Russia expanded east • Came into conflict with another imperial power—Japan • At same time, revolution brewing Growing Unrest • Defeat shocked many Russians, added to unrest • One group calling for change, Marxists—followed communist theories of Karl Marx War With Japan • Early 1900s, Japan building empire, viewed Russia as threat • 1904, Japanese forces attacked, defeated Russia in Russo-Japanese War Marxist Ideas • Wanted to create socialist republic— no private property, state to own, distribute goods • 1902, Vladimir Lenin called for revolution to overthrow czar The Revolution of 1905 • 1905, many Russians ready to rebel against czar • January 22, Orthodox priest, Father Gapon, brought petition to czar at Winter Palace, listing number of demands • Troops fired at group; hundreds died; day known as Bloody Sunday Revolution Begins • Bloody Sunday inspired many sectors of society to rise up against czar; rebellions broke out, czar’s strict rules disobeyed • Workers went on strike, students protested in streets • Czar promised reform, but did not follow through • Massive strike in October; 2 million workers protested in streets The October Manifesto In response to the rebellions and strikes, Nicholas II issued the October Manifesto, an official promise for reform and a more democratic government. Provisions • Manifesto promised constitution • Individual liberties to all, including freedom of speech, assembly • Many gained right to vote Duma • Voters would elect representatives to the Duma, assembly to approve all laws • Czar continue to rule, but not pass laws without approval of Duma End Revolution • Nicholas II hoped Manifesto would end revolution • Did not achieve balance between own power, democracy • People still wanted reform Cause and Effect What were some causes of the Russian Revolution of 1905? Answer(s): growing unrest, pogroms, crack down on revolutionary movements, defeat in Russo-Japanese War led to discontent, Bloody Sunday inspired rebellions against czar Revolution in Russia Russia and World War I The Years Before the War • Russia a troubled nation • Czar Nicholas II had promised reform after 1905 revolution, but delivered little real change Bolshevik Plan • Adaptation of Marxist ideas of overthrow of capitalism • Wanted elite group to keep much of power over Russia • Bolsheviks sought to change life through revolution, wanted to overthrow czar • As Russia’s problems grew more serious, Bolsheviks gained more followers • Led by Lenin, wanted proletariat to rule Russia as socialist country • Czar Nicholas hoped World War I would cause people to rally to his leadership Russia in World War I At the start of the war, Russia had an enormous army of some 6 million soldiers. Preparations for War On the Battlefield • Outbreak of fighting caused patriotism, rush to join military • Many Russian officers advanced on connections, not ability • Otherwise Russia ill-prepared for war • Some initial successes on battlefield – Factories unable to produce supplies quickly • Losses soon outnumbered victories – Transportation system weak – Equipment outdated • Millions of Russian soldiers wounded, killed during early battles Conditions Grow Worse Czar Nicholas II took personal command of forces, 1915 • Move made little sense since he knew little of military matters • Czar’s fate became linked with fate of Russian armed forces • Bad situation grew worse under Czar’s command Russian army seemed doomed • Central Powers were able to stop Russian offensive • Destroyed Russian soldiers’ faith in leadership • Army had little strength, even less confidence Conditions in Russia worse than on battlefield • Food, goods scarce; peasants grew desperate • Unpopular Czarina relied on Grigory Rasputin, viewed as corrupt, immoral • Shaky support for Russian monarchy dipped even lower Find the Main Idea How did World War I affect Russia? Answer(s): poor economic conditions, worker strikes, unpopular czar The Russian Revolution By the end of 1916, Russia was once again on the edge of a revolution. As the new year began and conditions in Russia continued to worsen, the Russian people clearly wanted a change. Revolution Begins Czar Nicholas II • Citizens protested in streets of Petrograd, March 8, 1917 • Ordered legislature to disband • Police, soldiers refused to shoot rioters • Citizens, government, military refused to obey Czar • Government was helpless • Forced to abdicate, March 15, 1917 • His order defied Calendar Change • March revolution known as February Revolution • Russian calendar at time 13 days behind • New calendar adopted, 1918 The Russian Revolution Provisional Government Bolsheviks • Duma established temporary government • Led opposition to Kerensky’s provisional government • Led by Aleksandr Kerensky • Wanted fundamental change in government and society • Many unhappy with new leadership • Planned Marxist revolution Bolshevism • Abolish private property • Enforce social equality • Later known as Marxism-Leninism Vladimir Lenin • Bolshevik leader forced to live outside Russia • Returned, April 1917 • Germany hoped Lenin would weaken Russian war effort The Bolshevik Revolution Kerensky’s final offensive • Kerensky ordered final military offensive against Central Powers along Eastern Front, mid-1917 • Drive failed and led to widespread rebellion in Russian army • Weakened Russian army collapsed Bolshevik takeover • Conditions ideal for Lenin • Armed Bolshevik factory workers, Red Guard, attacked provisional government, November 1917 • Known as October Revolution • Kerensky’s government collapsed after nearly bloodless struggle Lenin became leader • Established radical Communist program • Made private ownership of land illegal • Land given to peasants • Control of factories given to workers Summarize What were the main events of the Russian Revolution? Answer(s): the February Revolution and the Bolshevik Revolution After the Revolution Lenin sought to end Russian involvement in World War I • Sent Leon Trotsky to negotiate peace with Central Powers • Russia’s army virtually powerless • Trotsky had to accept agreement harsh on Russia • Russia gained peace, gave up large parts of empire Reaction to Treaty • Bolsheviks’ acceptance of peace treaty angered many Russians • Bolsheviks’ opponents organized the White Army • White Army included army leaders, political opponents, wealthy Russians opposed to Communist system Civil War • White Army received military help from France, U.S. • Civil War raged for 3 years between Lenin’s Red Army and White Army • Millions of Russians died in fighting, famines • Bolsheviks finally triumphed, late 1920 New Economic Policy Collapsing economy • Brought on by civil war, pushed Russia to edge of total ruin • Peasants, workers especially hard hit • Lenin introduced New Economic Policy, 1921 Key points • New Economic Policy permitted some capitalist activity • Peasants could sell food at profit • Tried to encourage badly needed food production The Soviet Union • Russia reunited with several neighboring lands, became Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, dominated by Communist leadership • Lenin’s death in 1924 led to struggle for control of Soviet Union Sequence What events took place after the Russian Revolution? Answer(s): The Bolsheviks formed the Red Army which fought against the White Army. The White Army was made up of army leaders, political opponents of the Bolsheviks, and wealthy Russians. Stalin’s Soviet Union Communism under Stalin • Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin died shortly after Communist Soviet Union formed, 1924 • Joseph Stalin became new Soviet leader after struggle for power Different Approach • Karl Marx predicted state would wither away under communism • Stalin took different approach, worked to return Soviet Union to totalitarian state, controlling all Soviet life The Five-Year Plans • Major part of Stalin’s plan to strengthen communism, modernization of economy • First Five-Year Plan began 1928, factories and mines had production goals Stalin’s Soviet Union 5-Year Plans reflected Soviet system of central planning • Government makes major decisions about production of goods • Differs from capitalist economic system, where market forces are major influences on production • Plans did lead to increases in Soviet industrial output • During first two Five-Year Plans, oil production doubled, coal and steel production quadrupled • Demands on Soviet workers were high Stalin’s Soviet Union Political Purges • Stalin, absolute power, but feared people plotting against him • Began campaign called Great Purge, to get rid of people, things undesirable • During Great Purge, thousands executed, sent to the Gulag Totalitarian Rule • Stalin’s regime dominated Soviet life • Children encouraged to join youth organizations, taught attitudes, beliefs • Religion discouraged, churches closed Cult of Personality • Portraits of Stalin decorated public places, creating heroic, idealized image • Streets, towns renaming in Stalin’s honor, created cult of personality • By ruthlessly removing opposition, Stalin gained stranglehold over society Collectivization and Famine Increase Farm Input • Stalin believed millions of small, individually owned Soviet farms would be more productive if combined into larger, mechanized farms • Combining small farms called collectivization • Stalin tried to take land back given to peasants after Russian Revolution Peasant Reaction • Peasants resisted, Stalin responded violently • Executed thousands, sent more to Siberian system of labor camps, called the Gulag • Resistance continued, particularly in the Ukraine • Stalin refused to send food during 1932 famine; millions starved to death Summarize How did Stalin use fear and violence to rule the Soviet Union? Answer(s): executed those who resisted him; sent opponents to Siberia to work in labor camps A Secret Deal with Stalin • Germany and Soviet Union on opposing sides in Spanish Civil War – No direct conflict – Axis Powers united against Soviet Union – Soviet leader Joseph Stalin threatened by German expansion • France and Britain discuss possible alliance with Soviet Union – Stalin did not trust British or French – In secret negotiations with Germans • German-Soviet Nonaggression Pact – Each side agreed not to attack the other; allowed further German aggression in Europe – Secret section divided up territory in Eastern Europe • News shocked British and French; Hitler definitely on the march A Turning Point in the Soviet Union • 1941 German invasion halted with winter • German equipment failed in bitter cold • Poorly equipped troops suffered greatly Leningrad • Citizens under siege in Hitler’s attempt to force a surrender • Winter of 1941—1942, thousands starved to death daily • Siege of Leningrad cost 1 million civilian lives Battle of Stalingrad In the spring of 1942, Hitler ordered renewed assaults on the Soviet Union. He assembled troops from Italy, Romania, and Hungary. Even with fuel shortages, Axis forces fought well initially. On the Volga River • • • • Germans poised to take Stalingrad Key industrial city for Soviets Factories supplied Soviet armies Ports shipped grain, oil, and other products throughout country Brutal battle •City bombed into rubble; German troops moved in •Hold city at all costs •Georgy Zhukov led Soviet counterattack •Axis soldiers with no food or ammunition •Hitler—“Surrender is forbidden” Final victory • German officers surrendered early February 1943 • 1 million Soviet dead • Crushing defeat for Hitler; once invincible German army in retreat • Battle of Stalingrad turning point in war Summarize Why was the Battle of Stalingrad a turning point? Answer(s): The German army had seemed invincible, but after failing to take Stalingrad, it was now retreating to the west. Planning for the Future July 1941 • Allied leaders planned for years for the of war • Churchill and Roosevelt met to discuss even before U.S. entered war Atlantic Charter • Joint declaration of Churchill and Roosevelt • Outlined purpose of war • Sought no territorial gains • All nations could choose their own government • Work for mutual prosperity Tehran Conference • December 1943 • Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin • Agreed on schedule for D-Day invasion • Would work together in peace after the war Yalta Conference • Held in Soviet territory in early 1945; Allies on brink of military victory • Primary goal to reach agreement on postwar Europe • Roosevelt, Stalin, and Churchill agreed on plans for Germany • Stalin got his way with Polish territory, made promises United Nations • Roosevelt got Stalin to agree to join fight against Japan once war in Europe over • USSR would join new world organization—United Nations • Meant to encourage international cooperation and prevent war • June 1945 charter signed with five major Allies as Security Council Potsdam Conference July 1945 Three sides • Small German city location for Potsdam Conference • Soviet Union, Britain, and United States • Growing ill will between Soviet Union and other Allies • Discussed many issues but had difficulty reaching agreement Closing months • American and British leaders worried about Stalin’s intentions • Concerned about spread of communism, growth of Soviet influence Stalin • Soon broke his promises • Did not respect democracies in Eastern Europe • Another struggle beginning Eastern Europe Beyond Germany • Allies agreed on Germany, what to do with rest of Europe more difficult • Even before war ended, major Allied powers in conflict over Eastern Europe • Eastern Europe bordered Soviet Union, was occupied by Soviet forces Buffer Zone • Soviet leaders had been invaded by Germany in both wars • Wanted buffer zone of friendly governments to guard against another attack • Stalin promised to respect Eastern Europeans’ right to choose governments Growing Tensions • American, British leaders believed Stalin planned to establish pro-Soviet Communist governments throughout Eastern Europe and beyond • Growing tensions between Allies about to lead to another conflict The Conflict Worsens The relationship between the Soviet Union and the Western nations continued to worsen after the war. Soon the United States and the Soviet Union entered an era of tension and hostility, which became known as the Cold War. The Struggle Begins • Cold War more than military rivalry • Struggle for power, control between two nations with very different approaches • Conflict between communism, capitalist democracy Pro-Soviet Governments • Backed by Soviet troops, pro-Soviet Communist governments established in Eastern Europe • Only Yugoslavia avoided Soviet domination, although it was led by Communist dictator As communism spread throughout Eastern Europe, tension between the Soviet Union and the western democracies continued to grow. More Tension Another Possible War • Tension worsened by Soviet failure to remove troops from northern Iran • January 1946, President Truman warned “Another war is in the making.” • February 1946, Stalin stated publicly he believed war between East, West bound to happen Iron Curtain • March 1946, former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill gave speech in U.S. • Churchill used image of iron curtain to describe the division of Europe as result of Soviet actions • Said this was serious threat to peace The West Resists The democratic nations of the West soon faced a test of their resolve to contain the Communist East. The Truman Doctrine • Early 1947, Soviet backed Communists threatened governments of Greece, Turkey • President Truman announced Truman Doctrine—pledge to provide economic, military aid to oppose spread of communism • Congress agreed to send aid to Greece, Turkey The Marshall Plan • Because of post-war economies, Truman believed more European countries might turn to communism • U.S. launched massive program of economic aid • Marshall Plan provided $13 billion for rebuilding Europe • Plan helped Western Europe make rapid recovery from war, preserved political stability Summarize How did conflict between East and West worsen after World War II? Answer(s): Communism spread to most of Eastern Europe, the Soviet Union would not withdraw troops from Iran, the West resists with Truman Doctrine, aid to Turkey and Greece Superpower Rivalries Superpower Rivalries Main Idea As the Cold War continued, the world’s two superpowers—the Soviet Union and the United States—competed for power and influence around the world. Reading Focus • How did the arms race begin in the 1950s and early 1960s? • How did the Cold War contribute to conflict around the world? • How did the superpowers attempt to achieve arms control during the Cold War? The Arms Race Begins During the 1950s and early 1960s nuclear war seemed to draw ever closer as the Soviet Union and the United States raced to develop powerful new weapons. This rivalry between the world’s two superpowers became increasingly tense—and dangerous. The Nuclear Arms Race Hydrogen Bomb • 1949, Soviets successfully tested atomic bomb • Atomic bombs used energy created by splitting atoms • Great military advantage of U.S. over Soviet Union gone • Nuclear fusion—larger explosion • U.S. sought to develop even more powerful weapons • 1952, U.S. tested first fusion-powered hydrogen bomb, vaporizing island on which tested The U.S. technological advantage was short-lived. Less than one year later the Soviets tested their own hydrogen bomb. Change in Tactics • • • • Both sides forced to change military tactics Could no longer rely on conventional forces, like troops, tanks U.S., Soviets increased stockpiles of nuclear weapons Nuclear weapons central to deterrence Strategy of Deterrence • Deterrence, development of or maintenance of military power to prevent attack • Two superpowers locked in arms race to gain advantage in weapons • U.S. had more weapons, but nuclear attack by either side would lead to terrible destruction Soviet Union Launches Sputnik In October 1957 the arms race took another leap forward with the Soviet Union’s successful launch of Sputnik. Sputnik Public Fears • Sputnik, history’s first artificial satellite—object orbiting earth • Growing threat of nuclear war • Soviet military technology now feared to be in the lead • Built bomb shelters to help protect from nuclear explosion • U.S. government established National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA • Schools led air-raid drills to prepare for possible Soviet attack • Agency would eventually return United States to forefront of space research • Significant impact on people • Books, movies, comic books had plots centered on dangers of radiation, nuclear war Red Scare Cold War led to so-called Red Scare in U.S. • Many Americans feared possible Communist influence in U.S. government • U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy – Prompted congressional committee in effort to expose Communists in American film industry, government, late 1940s, early 1950s – Accused many innocent people of Communist activities Identify Supporting Details How did the arms race begin? Answer(s): development of atomic and hydrogen bombs Cold War Around the World The Korean War showed that Cold War rivalry could lead to conflict far from the United States or the Soviet Union. During the Cold War, this rivalry led to struggles for influence in countries around the world. War in Southeast Asia • End World War II, France tried to reestablish control over Southeast Asia • Communist rebels in Vietnam fought back, forcing French to give up control Vietnam Divided • Peace agreement temporarily divided Vietnam in half • Communists controlled North, anti-Communist regime ruled South American Support • U.S. supported South Vietnam, when revolution broke out sent military troops • Eventually North Vietnamese fought alongside rebels • War dragged on until mid–1970s Another Crisis in Berlin Crossing Over • After Communist East Germany, democratic West Germany formed in 1949, tens of thousands of East Germans crossed from East to West Berlin • Some wanted to live in free nation, other simply wanted to find work Berlin Wall • By 1961, up to 1,000 per day made daily trip between homes in East Germany, jobs in West Berlin • To stop exodus, East Germany erected barrier between two halves of city Communist Brutality • Barrier, Berlin Wall, heavily guarded • Anyone attempting to cross risked being shot by East German guards • Succeeded in slowing flight of East Germans, became symbol of Communist system brutality Communism in Cuba • • • • • 1959, rebels led by Fidel Castro overthrew Cuba’s dictator Installed Communist government Centrally planned economy, close ties with Soviets Actions worried United States; Cuba near Florida coast Cuba’s alliance with Soviet Union brought Cold War close to American territory Bay of Pigs • U.S. government secretly trained invasion force to overthrow Castro • April 1961, force came ashore at Cuba’s Bay of Pigs • American officials believed invasion would start uprising against Castro • Instead invaders quickly defeated Cuban Missile Crisis • 1962, Cuban missile crisis, two week confrontation between U.S., Soviet Union over installation of nuclear missiles in Cuba • After standoff missiles removed; U.S. agreed to remove missiles from Turkey, not attack Cuba Other Cold War Conflicts Suez Canal • 1956, Egypt angered West by taking over Suez Canal • Britain, France, Israel attacked Egypt; Soviet Union would take Egypt’s side • U.S. demanded Western allies halt attack; conflict came to end The Congo • Ending of European colonial rule in Africa brought superpower involvement • 1960 Belgium ended control of Congo; U.S., other western countries supported military dictator Joseph Mobutu as good ally against Soviet Union Angola • 1975, Angola won independence from Portugal • U.S., Soviet Union supported opposing sides in ensuing civil war which lasted until 1991 The Americas Central and South America Nonaligned Nations • U.S. supported efforts to overthrow regimes allied with Soviet Union in Central, South America • Many countries sought to avoid being caught up in worldwide rivalry between superpowers • 1970s, U.S. secretly supported opposition to Chile’s socialist leader Salvador Allende, who was overthrown in 1973 • Beginning in 1950s, number of nations refused to support either side • 1983, U.S. forces ousted Communist regime on island of Grenada • So-called nonaligned nations sought to use combined strength to promote interests of poorer countries Find the Main Idea How did the Cold War play out around the world? Answer(s): Communism was spreading to many other countries, and the United States became involved in an attempt to stop its spread around the world. Attempts at Arms Control While relations between East and West were largely hostile throughout the Cold War, some attempts at cooperation were made. Early Arms Control • Eisenhower proposed open skies treaty with Soviet Union • Each side could fly over other’s territory, gather accurate weapons information • With accurate information, neither side would have to imagine worst about enemy • Soviets rejected proposal Test Ban Treaty • Soviet leaders proposed total nuclear disarmament • United States rejected idea • President Kennedy favored limited nuclear weapons tests • Cuban missile crisis convinced both sides important to make arms control progress • 1963 U.S., Soviets agreed on Test Ban Treaty SALT I and SALT II SALT I • U.S. President Richard Nixon sought détente, reduced tension between superpowers; started negotiations called Strategic Arms Limitations Talks • SALT I talks led to agreements limiting nuclear weapons held by each side ABM Treaty • Also led to Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, preventing development of weapons designed to shoot down nuclear missiles • Meant to ensure each side remained vulnerable to other’s nuclear weapons SALT II • Vulnerability important element of principle of deterrence • Two sides began new round of talks called SALT II • Talks resulted in arms control treaty in 1979: never ratified by U.S. Senate The 1980s Reagan Presidency Arms Reduction Talks • Reagan took aggressive position against Soviet Union • Idea of system seemed to violate spirit of ABM Treaty • Wanted to develop missile defense system • Began arms reduction talks with Soviet leader Gorbachev INF Treaty • 1988, two countries ratified Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty • Called for elimination of certain types of missiles Improving Relations • After many years of conflict, relationship between U.S., Soviet Union began to improve Sequence What were the major arms control agreements negotiated by the Soviet Union and the United States? Answer(s): Test Ban Treaty, SALT I, reducing the number of nuclear weapons each side held, ABM Treaty that prevented the development of weapons that shoot down nuclear missiles Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union The challenges facing the Soviet Union and the Eastern European nations under its control were even more overwhelming than those facing Western Europe. Like Western Europe, however, the region soon began to recover. The Postwar Soviet Union • Tens of millions killed in war • Heavy damage to cities and farms • Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin determined to rebuild quickly • Soviet Union had command economy Command Economy • Government controls all economic decisions • Goods at prewar levels by 1953 • Nikita Krushchev became leader of Soviet Union, undertook effort to “deStalinize” Soviet Union Stalin-era economic and political restrictions loosened, but country remained Communist. Individual freedoms limited, still hostile stance against the West. Revolts in Eastern Europe Many Changes • Changes after Stalin’s death led Eastern Europeans to hope for end of Soviet domination • Soviet leaders made it clear reforms were limited • Used or threatened force to crush public protests in many countries, assert control • Troops put down revolts in East Germany (1953), Poland (1956), Hungary (1956), Czechoslovakia (1968) Solidarity • Soviet crackdowns did not end protests in Eastern Europe • 1980, Polish electrician Lech Walesa led hundreds of thousands of workers in anti-government protest movement, called Solidarity • Poland’s Communist government used martial law to suppress movement, could not destroy it Glasnost and Perestroika Soviet Economy Faltered • Soviet economy performed well after war, began to falter in 1960s • By 1980s, Soviet Union faced crisis; command economy system inefficient • Production goals with little regard for wants, needs of marketplace Gorbachev • Goals stressed heavy industry, neglecting needed consumer goods • As result most sectors of Soviet economy ceased to grow • 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power, saw need for change New Concepts • Proposed two radical concepts—glasnost, perestroika • Glasnost, “openness,” willingness to discuss Soviet problems openly • Perestroika, “restructuring,” reform of Soviet economic, political system Reforms • Gorbachev pushed through number of major reforms • Aggressively pursued arms control agreements with U.S. • Also reduced central planning of Soviet economy, introduced some free market mechanisms Policy Reversal • Gorbachev knew Soviet Union could not afford to prop up Communist governments of Eastern Europe • Began to pull Soviet troops out of region, urged local leaders to adopt reforms • Reversed decades of Soviet policy in Eastern Europe Revolutions in Eastern Europe • • • • • Eastern Europeans longed for freedom, did not wait for reform 1989, revolution spread; citizens overthrew Soviet-backed leaders Gorbachev, no longer wanting to control Eastern Europe, did not interfere Most revolutions were peaceful Solidarity forced elections in Poland; Lech Walesa elected president Czechoslovakia, Romania • Czechoslovakia had Velvet Revolution—so called because it was peaceful • Pushed communists out of power • Only bloodshed in Romania, where some military forces remained loyal to Communist dictator East Germany • Most dramatic changes took place in East Germany • Berlin Wall opened November 1989 • Strongest symbol of Soviet repression, Cold War, finally fell • Less than year later, East, West Germany reunified as single nation Summarize What changes took place in the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe after World War II? Answer(s): Khrushchev tried to "de-Stalinize" and loosen political restrictions, revolts after Stalin's death, Solidarity, Gorbachev introduced reforms, glasnost and perestroika After the Cold War The Breakup of the Soviet Union The fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of Soviet-backed regimes in Eastern Europe showed the dramatic crumbling of Soviet power. Soviet Union Collapses • Soviet Union consisted of 15 separate republics • Some had been independent nations before World War II and long wanted freedom • 1990, Lithuania declared independence; appeared other republics planned same • Not clear if Soviets had will, power to stop movement Government in Crisis • August 1991, hard-line Communists tried to end Gorbachev’s reforms in coup • Effort failed due to opposition of Boris Yeltsin, leader of republic of Russia • Yeltsin favored more radical changes than Gorbachev • Did not want to see hard-liners take over Soviet Union Failed Coup Gorbachev’s Power Gone • Although coup failed, Gorbachev’s power largely gone • Republic after republic declared independence • By end of 1991, Soviet government had ceased to function End of Soviet Union • Twelve republics united in loose confederation, Commonwealth of Independent States • Mighty Soviet Union, once one to two most powerful countries in world, no longer existed • Cold War finally over after more than 40 years of tension, conflict Economic Change • Soviet Union fell; communism ended in former Soviet republics • In largest republic, Russia, Boris Yeltsin began campaign to alter economy’s basic structure • Goal to make economy function like capitalist system More Freedom • Yeltsin began to allow private ownership of businesses, land • Business owners, workers able to take advantage of economic opportunities • However, lost guarantee of government-backed job, other government supports Mixed Results Early results of Russia’s reforms mixed • Some entrepreneurs prospered, most ordinary Russians did not • Prices rose sharply – Many Russians could not afford to buys goods in stores – Some questioned benefits of market reform • Early 2000s, Russia rebounded somewhat from economic crises; still, path from communism to capitalism not easy Other Issues Ethnic Unrest • After Soviet Union fell, underlying issues in region bubbled to top • Two were ethnic unrest, need for new governments • One example of ethnic unrest took place in Chechnya, in Caucasus region Chechnya • Chechnya considered part of Russia • When Chechens tried to gain independence from Russia, dispute led to bloody fighting, insurgency that still affects region today Azerbaijan • Early 1990s, another example of ethnic conflict occurred when ethnic Armenian minority sought to break away from country of Azerbaijan • Tens of thousands died in fighting that followed Challenging Transition Transition from communism to new government challenging for some former republics • 2004, Ukraine held election • Election had to be repeated amid widespread charges of fraud • Results of elections left Ukraine deeply divided • Such transitions continue to trouble the region Summarize How and why did the Soviet Union break up? Answer(s): Republics fought for freedom and independence, Communist Party leaders tried to overthrow the government and end Gorbachev's reforms, and republics gained independence. Europe after Communism The collapse of the Iron Curtain brought new opportunities and new challenges to Europe. The end of communism brought much economic change as well as new threats to peace. Yugoslavia • Communist governments with strict control • In Yugoslavia, control helped suppress tensions between various ethnic, religious groups living there Nationalism Bosnian Serbs • Tensions began to surface • Conflict broke out • Nationalism grew as ethnic, religious tensions increased • Independence • Serbia tried to prevent breakup of Yugoslavia • Bosnia and Herzegovina at war • Independence declared in 1992 • Bosnian Serbs went to war to stop independence War in Bosnia • Serbs used policy of ethnic cleansing against Bosnian Muslims • Ethnic cleansing means elimination of an ethnic group from society through killing or forced emigration • U.S.-led diplomatic efforts finally ended violence in Bosnia in 1995 Fighting in Kosovo • Soon fighting began in Serbian province of Kosovo • Serbs, ethnic Albanians fought over control of area • 1999, NATO airplanes bombed Serbian targets to stop conflict • NATO peacekeepers eventually maintained order there, although Kosovo remains Serbian province today Economic Change Market Reforms • End of communism brought mixed results for Eastern European economies • Market reforms created new opportunities for many people • Some started businesses; some got management, technical jobs Strain on Western Europe • Others fared less well; earnings not increasing for all workers • High unemployment in some areas, forcing many to move to West • Newcomers compete with longtime residents for jobs, resources The European Union • European Union (EU), single economic unit in competition with U.S. • Many of newer members far poorer than older Western Europe members; some in wealthier nations worry their economies will suffer Summarize How has Europe changed since the end of communism? Answer(s): High unemployment has led many Eastern Europeans to move to Western Europe for jobs and opportunities.