1. Fall of the USSR

2. 1983 - Strategic Defense Initiative
President Reagan proposed the US develop the SDI to counter the threat of Soviet nuclear capabilities.
It was seen as a way to escape the threat of mutually assured destruction.
The cost was estimated to be more than $200 billion.

3. 1985 – Mikhail Gorbachev Ascends Power
The 8th and last leader of the Soviet Union was seen as a member of the younger generation of Soviet leaders.
He intended to implement reforms called glastnost (transparency) and perestroika (restructuring) into the Soviet government.

4. 1986 – Gorbachev Ends Aid to Soviet Satellites
The new Soviet leader removed missile systems from eastern Europe in the interest of de-escalation.
At a summit in Iceland, Gorbachev and Reagan agreed to cut their countries’ nuclear stockpiles in half.
Gorbachev ended military and economic aid to Soviet satellite states in Europe, under his plan of restructuring.

5. Afghanistan
Soviet troops withdraw from Afghanistan, with 15,000 dead and 400,000 casualties.
They had entered the country in 1979 to expand their sphere of influence.
Afghan fighters, aided covertly by US and Saudi resources, managed to hold the Soviets off, eventually forcing them to abandon their attack of the country.

6. 1989 – Lech Walesa and Poland
The Solidarity movement in Poland succeeded in a bid to control the Polish Congress.
The next year, Poland elected Solidarity leader Lech Walesa to the presidency.
Solidarity was a workers’ movement that used civil disobedience to work towards the goals of workers’ rights and social change.

7. 1989 – The Berlin Wall Comes Down
In June, the Hungarian government takes down the barbed wire portion of the wall in their country.
13,000 East German tourists escape through Hungary into Austria.
Others are detained; they flood the West German embassy and refuse to leave.

8. 1989 – The Berlin Wall Comes Down
This led to massive street protests. First, “we want out,” then, “we’re staying here.”
This led to an easing of border restrictions; the government announced that more people would be let through.
Crowds massed at the border crossings. When it became clear that the guards would not fire, the crowds rushed through.

9. 1990 – Germany Re-unites
In March, the East German Communist Party lost control of their Congress.
In October, the two countries re- unite under a common flag and common government.

10. 1990 – Republics Break Away
The USSR passed laws allowing Soviet republics to break away with a 2/3 majority in a referendum.
In June, Boris Yeltsin leads the Russian congress in breaking away.
A coup is launched to undo Yeltsin’s breakaway, but the leaders are arrested.

11. 1991 – Nuclear Disarmament
The USSR pulls out its nuclear and conventional forces from Warsaw Pact nations.

12. 1991- Belavezha Accords
The USSR is declared dissolved, and they form the Commonwealth Accords with Belarus, Ukraine, and Russia.
In July, the Warsaw Pact is dissolved as well.