IB History Topic Collapse of the Soviet Union Revision Notes (HL)

IB History Topic Collapse of the Soviet Union Revision Notes (HL) | RevisionDojo

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of a superpower that had dominated global politics for nearly half a century.
This monumental event reshaped the geopolitical landscape, leading to the emergence of 15 independent republics and the end of the Cold War.

Note

The Soviet Union was officially dissolved on December 26, 1991, following the resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev as its last leader.

Long-Term Causes of the Collapse

Centralized Planning: The Soviet economy was based on a command economy, where the state controlled all aspects of production and distribution.
Inefficiency: This system led to widespread inefficiency, with chronic shortages of consumer goods and low productivity.
Military Spending: The arms race with the United States drained resources, diverting funds from essential sectors like healthcare and education.
Authoritarian Rule: The Soviet government maintained strict control over political life.
Resistance to Change: Leaders like Leonid Brezhnev resisted economic and political reforms.

Common Mistake

Note

It's a common misconception that Gorbachev's reforms were universally welcomed. In reality, they faced significant resistance from hardliners within the Communist Party.

Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

Diverse Population: The Soviet Union was a multi-ethnic state, home to over 100 distinct ethnic groups.
Suppressed Nationalism: Under Soviet rule, nationalist movements were suppressed.

Example

In 1988, Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, highlighting the ethnic tensions simmering beneath the surface.

Gorbachev's Reforms

Perestroika (Restructuring)
1. Economic Reforms: Gorbachev introduced perestroika to modernize the economy by allowing limited market mechanisms and reducing state control.

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Note

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Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

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The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of a superpower that had dominated global politics for nearly half a century.
This monumental event reshaped the geopolitical landscape, leading to the emergence of 15 independent republics and the end of the Cold War.

Note

The Soviet Union was officially dissolved on December 26, 1991, following the resignation of Mikhail Gorbachev as its last leader.

Long-Term Causes of the Collapse

Centralized Planning: The Soviet economy was based on a command economy, where the state controlled all aspects of production and distribution.
Inefficiency: This system led to widespread inefficiency, with chronic shortages of consumer goods and low productivity.
Military Spending: The arms race with the United States drained resources, diverting funds from essential sectors like healthcare and education.
Authoritarian Rule: The Soviet government maintained strict control over political life.
Resistance to Change: Leaders like Leonid Brezhnev resisted economic and political reforms.

Common Mistake

Note

It's a common misconception that Gorbachev's reforms were universally welcomed. In reality, they faced significant resistance from hardliners within the Communist Party.

Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

Diverse Population: The Soviet Union was a multi-ethnic state, home to over 100 distinct ethnic groups.
Suppressed Nationalism: Under Soviet rule, nationalist movements were suppressed.

Example

In 1988, Armenia and Azerbaijan clashed over the Nagorno-Karabakh region, highlighting the ethnic tensions simmering beneath the surface.

Gorbachev's Reforms

Perestroika (Restructuring)
1. Economic Reforms: Gorbachev introduced perestroika to modernize the economy by allowing limited market mechanisms and reducing state control.

Definition

Paywall

(on a website) an arrangement whereby access is restricted to users who have paid to subscribe to the site.

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Note

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam quis nostrud exercitation.

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Tip

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit.
Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua.
Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris.
Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum.

Paper 1 - The Move to Global War6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Rights and Protest6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Conflict and Intervention6 subtopics

Paper 2 - Independence Movements5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Emergence and Development of Democratic States5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Authoritarian States7 subtopics

Paper 2 - Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars4 subtopics

Paper 2 - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries4 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Europe18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of the Americas18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Asia and Oceania18 subtopics

IB History Collapse of the Soviet Union Notes

Long-Term Causes of the Collapse

Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

Gorbachev's Reforms

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Long-Term Causes of the Collapse

Nationalism and Ethnic Tensions

Gorbachev's Reforms

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Paper 1 - The Move to Global War6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Rights and Protest6 subtopics

Paper 1 - Conflict and Intervention6 subtopics

Paper 2 - Independence Movements5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Emergence and Development of Democratic States5 subtopics

Paper 2 - Authoritarian States7 subtopics

Paper 2 - Causes and Effects of 20th Century Wars4 subtopics

Paper 2 - The Cold War: Superpower Tensions and Rivalries4 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Europe18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of the Americas18 subtopics

Paper 3 - History of Asia and Oceania18 subtopics