1. Nuclear Age Continues Cold War evolved over 4 decades
The world seemed imminent as the nuclear arms race continued to escalate
Safety became a huge concern in daily life
“Duck and cover” was taught to students nation wide

2. The Cold War
Popular music, especially in the 80’s reflected the growing pessimism

3. The Collapse of Communism
1990

4. Soviet Union Faces Changes
Very weak economy in Soviet Union
Rebellion in Poland, Invasion of Afghanistan
Communist Party promotes a new Soviet Leader
Mikhail Gorbachev (younger & more open to reform)

5. Gorbachev’s leadership would unleash a 2nd Russian Revolution
Announced astonishing reforms for the Economy & society in Soviet Union
Allowed Iron Curtain countries to determine their own form of government

6. Collapse of Iron Curtain 1989-90
“Each people determines the future of its
own country and chooses its own form of society?”
This opened the door to freedom for
eastern Europe (Iron Curtain)
1989 – 1990: majority of Iron Curtain countries become democratic.
Germany is re-united

7. The Cold War: Part 11 – The Wall 7

9. 1991: Boris Yeltsin replaces Gorbachev
15 Soviets Republics declare independence
Soviet Union is officially ended in 1991

10. Post-Soviet states in alphabetical order:
1. Armenia; 2. Azerbaijan; 3. Belarus; 4. Estonia; 5. Georgia; 6. Kazakhstan; 7. Kyrgyzstan; 8. Latvia; 9. Lithuania; 10. Moldova; 11. Russia; 12. Tajikistan;13. Turkmenistan; 14. Ukraine; 15. Uzbekistan

11. Some Factors in the collapse of Soviet Union
Overall, very poor economy
Flawed economic system (communism)
Could not compete with USA in the Arms Race
Invasion of Afghanistan caused financial hardship
Rebellions in Iron Curtain Countries & Soviet Republics
Falling oil prices in 1980’s drastically lowered income