Question

Which 3 events were the top, middle and least event that led to the fall of the Soviet Union.

Answer 1

Ø Hungarian Uprising- Hungarian Community Party 1956
a. Why: Free itself from Soviet Union
b. What: Soviet Union leader sent troops into Hungary and captured airports, bridges, highways etc.

Ø Prague Spring- Alexander Dubcek 1968
a. Why: Tried to reform, socialism with a human face.
b. What: Would still reamain allies with USSR but wanted independence from them; Soviet Union invades, no bloodshed, "recaptures" Czech and arrests Dubcek, sending him to Moscow.


Ø Détente – Nixon and Brezhnev 1970’s
a. Why: Easing political tensions between US and Soviet Union after Cold War.
b. What: Hotline phone, SALT signed (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks)


Ø Solidarity – Trade workers union 1980
a. Why: To improve working conditions
b. What: 1st trade union in communist Soviet Union; Turned into political party and participated in free elections; 1st chink in Soviet Union's aromor.


Ø Gorbachev appointed as Communist Party General Secretary - 1980’s
a. Why: Boost Soviet Union's economy and government
b. What: Reform and new policies; Glasnost-more accountability and openness


Ø Velvet Revolution – Students and Protesters 1989
a. Why: Defeat communists control
b. What: Return to capitalism and democracy; Seperation of Czech and Slovak countries

Ø Romanian Uprising – Protestors 1989
a. Why: Revolt against Ceauscu's government
b. What: Over 1,000 Romanian die; Overthrow Ceausescu and execute he and his wife; Romania no longer communist controlled

Ø Fall of Berlin Wall – East and West Germany population 1989/1990
a. Why: Hungary removes fence that bordered them with Austria
b. What: Die Wende (Turning Point); East allows travel between sides; Demolition of Wall; Nov. 9,1989 official "breakthrough" of wall' 1990 Germany reunites as one and goes to more democratic views

Ø Coup d’etat in Moscow – Hard core politicians of Soviet Union 1991
a. Why: Do not want to lose Soiet Unions Communism
b. What: They kidnap Gorbachev; Overthow gov. failed af. 3 days People of Soviet Union were not willing to go back to the way things were; Reign of Soveit Union is over.