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The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 2008.
An analysis of the factors contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev's efforts to stem the collapse.
2,141 words (approx. 8.6 pages), 7 sources, MLA, $ 67.95
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Abstract
This paper analyzes the main causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union, focusing on the role of the United States in its collapse. The paper looks at the final phase of collapse in the 1980s when Leonid Brezhnev died and the other factors that impacted the collapse at that time. The paper also discusses the efforts of Gorbachev to try to stem the collapse of the Soviet Union and how his efforts failed.
From the Paper
"Gorbachev realized that perestroika was bold and risky and that only time would determine its ultimate success or failure. Like Lenin, Gorbachev believed that, "sometimes you have to retreat, and then advance." But he ran out of time, in part because the new openness in the Soviet press under glasnost revealed to the Soviet people for the first time that conditions across the entire Soviet Union were shockingly bad.
"Ever since the days of Lenin, the average Soviet citizen knew that economic conditions were bad in their own village, city, or region, but the communist-controlled media prevented them from knowing that conditions were just as bad everywhere else if not even worse. Glasnost confirmed this harsh reality beyond any doubt, and created a political environment across the Soviet Union in which people were not going to tolerate communism much longer."
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The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 2006.
An analysis of the reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1,575 words (approx. 6.3 pages), 3 sources, $ 62.95
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Abstract
There is a general consensus among historians that the collapse of the Soviet Union could not have been averted because of the inherent economic, political, and social flaws of the communist system. Ultimately, these flaws proved to be fatal, despite the efforts of Mikhail Gorbachev to reform communism through glasnost and perestroika between 1985 and 1991. More than seventy years of communist political oppression, CPSU corruption, mismanagement of the economy, and massive military spending had totally and irrevocably destroyed the legitimacy of communism in the USSR by 1991, and its collapse was inevitable. This paper looks at the historical, economic, political and sociological reasons that contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
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The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 2006.
A look at some of the reasons behind the collapse of the Soviet Union.
870 words (approx. 3.5 pages), 6 sources, MLA, $ 30.95
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Abstract
This paper discusses how the simplest explanation for the collapse of the Soviet Union is that the system was not sufficiently stable to withhold both its own needs and the demands of an arms race. It looks at how the Soviet Union found itself attempting to produce at a very high level in order to compete with America's military output and how the demands of the Cold War itself destroyed the Soviet Union.
From the Paper
"Of course, it may appear that the fall of the Communist ideal was due in large part to a change in the nature of counter-culture and communication. In the pre-Revolutionary days, intellectuals and the discontented who sought change, sought it in communism. After the revolution, change did not come quickly enough - because the nation was immediately plunged into war (which requires overproduction!) and international turmoil. When the next generation of intellectuals and the discontented was made manifest, it opposed communism - because intellectuals generally are capable of seeing the flaws in a system, and no total system appreciates having its flaws pointed out. Communication technology made such a difference in the fall of the Soviet Union because it allowed those who were discontented to express that and work together. "
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Collapse of Soviet Union, 2005.
A discussion of various reasons and factors that could have caused the collapse of the Soviet Union.
1,794 words (approx. 7.2 pages), 14 sources, MLA, $ 57.95
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Abstract
This paper explains why the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991. The explanations range from Russian history and faults in Marxist theory, to Stalin, Gorbachev, and others. It explains why the collapse was inevitable, stating that, from the beginning, Russia was isolated and backwards and that Marx never had Russia in mind for reformation. It also examines the role the U.S. played in the collapse and what the Soviet Union's leaders did wrong.
From the Paper
"Even though the Soviet Union survived events such as a civil war, the Russo-Japanese war, and both world wars, it finally collapsed in 1991. This happened despite the benefits communism gave it. The failure of the USSR to remain a world superpower was attributed to many factors. Some factors include faults in Marxist theory and those of the Soviet Union's leaders. Others include Russia not being suited for communism, and external forces determined to bring down the Soviet Union."
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Collapse of the Soviet Union, 2004.
An analysis of the collapse of the Soviet Union.
969 words (approx. 3.9 pages), 5 sources, MLA, $ 34.95
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Abstract
The paper contends that an analysis of the sudden collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 is probably best left to the historians of the future generations. The paper discusses a number of long-term and short-term factors that have been identified by political commentators and historians to explain one of the pivotal events of the 20th century, which has changed the history of the world. The paper examines the flawed ideology of Marxism, the weak economy, the pressure exerted by the United States, Gorbachev's reforms, and issues of nationalism.
From the Paper
"A number of people, particularly the ones who are firmly opposed to Marxism, argue that the Soviet "experiment" was doomed to fail from the start. They consider the Marxist ideology the very basis of the formation of the Soviet Empire as inherently flawed. Hence an imminent collapse of the Soviet Union was predicted by a number of Western writers from the beginning who believed that it was only a matter of time before the contradictions of an 'unnatural' system caught up with it. To them the collapse of Soviet Union was no surprise; the real surprise was how it survived for such a long (74 years) period. Historian Martin Malia is the chief proponent of this theory who believes that the utopian Soviet dream of building a 'maximalist' socialist society of equality and abundance was 'fatally flawed' and flew in the face of all historical precedent as well as human nature."
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The Collapse of the Soviet Union, 2005.
This paper explores the implosion of the former Soviet Union at the dawn of the 1990s.
2,250 words (approx. 9.0 pages), 5 sources, $ 89.95
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Abstract
This paper explains that the collapse of the former Soviet Union was the most significant event of the last half of the twentieth century. The author points out that economic weakness, domestic policy and foreign policy all conspired to bring about the ruin of the USSR. The paper relates that, ironically, as secretary of the Communist Party, the decisions of Mikhail Gorbachev, the man most intent on salvaging the empire, were arguably most responsible for expediting the USSR's collapse.
From the Paper
"The collapse of the former Soviet Union was the most significant event of the last half of the twentieth century. This paper explores the economic factors, the domestic policy decisions - chiefly the glasnost and/or perestroika championed by Mikhail Gorbachev - and, not least of all, the foreign policy decisions that led to the devolution of the World's second most powerful polity. While certain factors were more important than others, there can be little doubt that the destruction of the USSR occurred because of a confluence of factors that, operating in a complex unison with one another, brought down an empire holding sway over more than a quarter billion people."
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Un-Revolution: The Collapse of the Soviet Empire, 2001.
This research discusses in detail the reasons for collapse of the Soviet Union and its empire.
6,970 words (approx. 27.9 pages), 22 sources, $ 157.95
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Abstract
This research paper discusses the collapse of the Soviet Union and its empire in 1989-91 and the future of Eastern Europe after Soviet domination. The paper concludes that the events of 1989 marked the end of the communist revolution. For more than forty years, the West had contained the Soviet Union behind the Iron Curtain, while the inherent faults of Soviet communism, embodied in the flawed policies of its leadership, brought about the inevitable collapse of the Soviet empire. The author discusses the fall of communism which presented humanity with a historic chance to progress a few feet forward. The author argues that only when democracy and capitalism reach the roots of society, however, can these ideas blossom into true positive change in the post-communist world.
From the paper:
"What happened in 1989 was not a revolution itself, but actually the final nail in the coffin of a revolution. The fall of the Soviet Union represented the end of a forty-year challenge to democracy and market capitalism, both of which had already been established as the status quo (at least of Europe, the main ?battlefield? of the Cold War). The revolution of western democracy and capitalism began in 1642 in England where the first popular rebellion against a monarchy brought about the execution of King Charles I. Less than a decade later, Thomas Hobbes, at least partially inspired by the upheaval in England, published his famous work Leviathan. Although he advocated submission to the absolute supremacy of the state, Hobbes was not concerned whether that state was ruled by a king or a parliament, and this non-commitment to monarchy laid the intellectual foundations for the development of democratic political theory. John Locke soon bridged the gap between Hobbes? realism and what would become liberalism with the ideas of majority rule, natural rights, property rights, and the responsibility of the state to uphold these ideals. Montesquieu added the issues of separated and balanced governmental powers, and Rousseau defended self-determination and civil liberty. Adam Smith introduced the world to comparative advantage and put forth the belief that the ability of every citizen to make his own economic choices created the most prosperous economy. The ideas of these philosophers, along with Madison, Jefferson, Ricardo, and ?the rest,? inspired more revolutions in America in 1776, France in 1789, across Europe in 1848, and again in American in 1860."
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Reagan's Foreign Policy, and the Soviet Union, 2004.
Analyses the Reagan foreign policy, and how it consistently confronted the Soviet Union in ways that forced it to spend huge amounts of money on defense. Makes the argument that this is the main reason that the Soviet Union collapsed.
2,800 words (approx. 11.2 pages), 11 sources, MLA, $ 83.95
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Abstract
This paper highlights the portions of Ronald Reagan's foreign policy that confronted the Soviet Union in ways that forced the United States to spend large amounts of money. The foreign policy issues that are examined include Afghanistan, The Iran-Contra Affair, Reagan's support of Eastern-European Dissidents and Reagan's Strategic Defense Initiative, (also known as "Star Wars"). Afghanistan is heavily analyzed, with a breakdown of significant historical points, such as the introduction of the US-made Stinger missile, which stripped the USSR of air superiority. The Iran-Contra affair is included as a way to demonstrate Reagan's willingness to confront communism everywhere. This was a marked policy shift from Jimmy Carter and caught the USSR off guard. The Strategic Defense Initiative is analyzed and is linked to an increased amount of money being spent by the USSR on research and development. The support of dissidents by Reagan is looked at as well, with the conclusion that with relatively little amounts of effort, Reagan's foreign policy fomented large amounts of political opposition to the Soviet Union in Eastern European satellite countries. This caused the Soviet Union to spend money combating this problem as well, with their spy apparatus. Definitive numbers are given that explain just how much the Soviet Union spending increased while Reagan was in office.
From the Paper
"In the 1980's, a swirling of events converged to form a perfect storm that met the conditions for bringing down what Ronald Reagan termed the "evil empire." The first incident was that Old School communists in the Politburo sought to make an impression in Central Asia, but found stalwart resistance in The Gipper. Second, Reagan's abrupt shift from Carter's lax foreign policy took the Soviets by surprise, with the new administration's desire to challenge communism on every front possible; out of this desire came the ill-fated support of the contras, along with the hugely successful backing of Eastern European dissidents, namely the Solidarity movement in Eastern Europe. The third event in Reagan's foreign policy shift that took the world by surprise was the administration's renunciation of the doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction; Reagan took the steps of beginning a Ballistic Missile Defense program, which he coined the Strategic Defense Initiative. The Soviets, with few options of recourse, were forced to make concessions that led to the implosion of the "evil empire" shortly afterward. Thus, by applying a policy of confrontation of spreading Communism, bleeding the Soviets in Afghanistan by supporting the mujahideen, and abruptly announcing a paradigm shift in American foreign policy with the Strategic Defense Initiative, Ronald Reagan certainly hastened, if not caused the downfall of the USSR."
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The Collapse of the Soviet System, 2005.
An analysis of the causes for the fall of the Soviet Union.
3,150 words (approx. 12.6 pages), 6 sources, $ 124.95
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Abstract
The paper explains that in order to identify the causes of the collapse of the Soviet Union, it is necessary to examine the political and economic ideologies the Soviet Union represented and promoted, for the same political and economic factors that led to the collapse of communism had generated its rise. The paper relates that the origin, character and development of the Soviet Union had been primarily due to the fundamental ideological tenets of communism and its collapse was the historical product of these ideological tenets.
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Post Communism Soviet Union, 2002.
A look at the reasons behind the collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union.
1,400 words (approx. 5.6 pages), 5 sources, $ 53.95
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Abstract
This six-page undergraduate paper investigates the reasons underlying the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union. The most important reason is national identity; others are economic reasons and political movements. To a degree, Gorbachev was a cause.
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Collapse of Soviet Union, 1993.
Analyzes historical, economic & political roots & failure of Western observers to foresee the collapse.
1,125 words (approx. 4.5 pages), 5 sources, $ 39.95
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From the Paper
"The abrupt collapse of the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 1990s was possibly the least anticipated development of the twentieth century. Almost all writers on the future of the Soviet Union foresaw something quite different than what actually came to pass. Liberals had a vague hope that the system would liberalize into Western European-style social democracy. Conservatives had an equally vague hope that nationalism, religion, or the sheer inefficiency of state socialism, might eventually undermine the system and lead to a counter-revolution.
On both sides of the spectrum, however, these possibilities were, well into the 1980s, banished into an indefinite future (Urban, 1993, pp. xix-xx). Only one writer, the Soviet historian.."
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The Fall Of The Soviet Union, 1999.
Examines reasons for the 1991 Soviet collapse, communist ideology, global, economic, political and social challenges for successor states, nationalistic and ethnic ferment.
2,700 words (approx. 10.8 pages), 18 sources, $ 95.95
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Abstract
This research paper discusses various aspects of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, including the reasons why the communist system and ideology in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) failed, the legacy bequeathed by communism to the successor states which emerged, the political, economic and social challenges that arose in those states and how those states responded to those challenges.
A number of inter-related factors led to the disintegration of the Soviet system and empire, including the woeful inadequacy of the totalitarian police state, dogmatic communist ideology and centralized planned economy which evolved after the Russian Revolution of 1917
From the Paper
"SOVIET SUCCESSOR STATES
This research paper discusses various aspects of the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, including the reasons why the communist system and ideology in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) failed, the legacy bequeathed by communism to the successor states which emerged, the political, economic and social challenges that arose in those states and how those states responded to those challenges.
A number of inter-related factors led to the disintegration of the Soviet system and empire, including the woeful inadequacy of the totalitarian police state, dogmatic communist ideology and centralized planned economy which evolved after the Russian Revolution of 1917 in preparing the Soviet Union to meet the requirements of the late 20th century, international developments ..."
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The Soviet Collapse, 2002.
This essay discusses the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1985-1991 period.
2,650 words (approx. 10.6 pages), 9 sources, $ 97.95
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Abstract
This paper states that the collapse could not have been averted. The author points out that, ss a communist experiment, the Soviet system did not allow private property and political dissent, which are crucial for a society's success.
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East Germany & Bulgaria after Soviet Collapse, 1994.
Describes political & economic revolutions during & after 1989. Examined in terms of elections & democracy, privatization, transition to free-market economy, reform, leadership and German reunification.
2,475 words (approx. 9.9 pages), 6 sources, $ 87.95
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From the Paper
" The rise to power across Eastern Europe of a new revolutionary class of dissidents in 1989 and 1990--this time a class of anti-communist dissidents--has been one of the most dramatic changes in contemporary politics. Throughout Eastern Europe, thousands marched for freedom and bulldozers leveled statues of communist heroes, leaving Vladimer Lenin lying face down in the streets of a new era. Political parties headed by opponents of communist rule came to power through free elections in Poland, Hungary and Czechoslovakia; the communist regime of the German Democratic Republic was ousted by anti-communist dissidents, preparing the way for unification with West Germany; and non-communist political parties appeared for the first time since the Second World War in Bulgaria and Romania.
Partly because of a desire for a peaceful transition and.."
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The United States and Russia, 2002.
Examines the evolution of the relationship between the United States and Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
19,500 words (approx. 78.0 pages), 89 sources, APA, $ 249.95
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Abstract
This paper describes in detail American relations with Russia in the wake of the Soviet Union's collapse, focusing on the "Gorbachev years" as the first stage of a multi-pronged analysis of an evolutionary American foreign policy. It provides some insight into how the Russian political situation has effected and may continue to effect the future of the relationship. It focuses primarily upon Russia itself and not upon American relations with the other fourteen states that have emerged since the collapse of the Soviet Union. As needed, however, and where the relationships with such states as Ukraine or Lithuania overlap with American involvement with Russia itself, these issues are addressed.
The first of the three sections of the paper demonstrates that while it may be true that some opportunities for a profitable mutual involvement have, in fact, been missed due to U.S. inaction or indecision or uncertainty, enormous opportunities remain available. The report draws upon literature to indicate how U.S. initiatives have been undertaken, their effects and the Russian response. A background analysis of the relationships of the U.S. and Soviet Union during the Cold War and America's own position as a hegemon are provided. The second section of the paper deals with the Yeltsin years and the final section with the current state of the United States/Russian relationship.
Subtitles:
The Collapse and the Gorbachev Years
Introduction
Background of the Relationship
The Collapse of the Soviet Union
The Yeltsin Regime
Overview
The Russian Situation Under Yeltsin
The Economic Issue
The Yeltsin Collapse Begins
Effects of Regionalism
Critical U.S. Policy Initiatives
The Current State of Affairs
The End of the Yeltsin Era
Putin
Future Directions of U.S. Policy
From the Paper
"Nevertheless, the world in the absence of the Soviet Union is not a world fully at peace. The Middle East and portions of Africa remained troubled and potentially explosive, requiring an American military and security response, perhaps via the continued U.S. participation in multilateral peacekeeping and other military activities of the United Nations. Containment, as a policy doctrine, remains critical in certain of these cases such as that presented by the Middle East. A long-term American policy of supporting those governments and/or movements most likely to in turn be supportive of democratic systems should be continued, regardless of the political orientation of the President and the Congress (Kennedy, 1987)."
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