1. Détente : Cold War policy aimed at relaxing tensions between the US and the USSR. Called for increase diplomatic and commercial activity. Politburo : Supreme policy making body of the Communist party of the Soviet Union. Mikhail Gorbachev : Leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 to 1991. His policies of Perestroika and Glasnost, which aimed at revitalizing the Soviet Union contributed to the downfall of communism. Glasnost: Policy that called for more openness with the nations of West, and a relaxing of restraints on Soviet citizenry. Perestroika : Policy to revitalize the Soviet economy by opening it up to more free enterprise. Boris Yeltsin : President of Russia. Eelected before the breakup of the Soviet Union in 1991. Served until 1999 and was instrumental in keeping a cout d'état from occurring which would have returned hard line communists to power in Russia. “shock therapy” : Yeltsin advocated a rapid transition from state planning to a market economy while simultaneously introducing democracy to Russia. “Shock therapy” caused inflation and unemployment.

2. RISE AND FALL OF A SUPERPOWER After WWII, the Soviet Union was a superpower. Stalin still was firmly in control Pours money into industry, science, and military. Labor camps forced political prisoners to work for their country. Gulag Work Camps

3. After Stalin died in 1953, Nikita Khrushchev became the next communist head. He allowed more freedom. Citizens enjoyed low rents, free health care, and jobs for almost everyone. In 1962, Khrushchev nearly set off a war when he sent missiles to Cuba. Nikita Khrushchev and Fidel Castro RISE AND FALL OF A SUPERPOWER

4. Mikhail Gorbachev Man most responsible for collapse of the USSR 1985: Becomes Soviet Premier Soviet Economy was on the verge of collapse RUSSIA EXPERIENCES ECONOMIC CHANGE

5. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev came to power. Soviets gained new freedom. However, new policies caused food and medicine shortages. Reforms spark demand for democracy in Eastern Europe. They also led Soviet republics to seek independence.

6. Gorbachev Initiates Reform: 1) GLASNOST means Openness Political openness More information to the people “Free-er” Speech and Press Open relationship with USA

7. 2) Perestroika: Restructuring of the Soviet economy Allowed limited free enterprise and private business (local and international)

9. 3) Demokratizatsia ( 1987) Russian policy of “democratization” Could now elect which communist party member would represent their Soviet 4)In the late 1980’s Gorbachev helps Eastern European Communist countries reform---It leads to the collapse of communism in Poland, Hungary, Romania and Czecholslovakia

10. 5) F ALL OF THE B ERLIN W ALL November 1989: Berlin Wall is taken down uniting communist/capitalist Germany “General Secretary Gorbachev, if you seek peace, if you seek prosperity for the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe, if you seek liberation: Come here to this gate! Mr. Gorbachev tear down this wall.”

13. 6) Germany was officially reunited as democratic on October 3 rd, 1990

14. August 1991 to December 1991: Gorbachev stepped down as Soviet Leader Boris Yeltsin becomes the first democratic President of Russia He faced hard times. New nations had to make peace among ethnic groups, end food shortages, and set up trade.

15. In February, 1992, George Bush and Boris Yeltsin signed a formal statement declaring the Cold War at an end! (or was it....)

16. Leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev Openness to democratic ideas (Glasnost) Reshaping of economy and government (Perestroika) Economic problems Freedom movement in Eastern Europe FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION Causes Formation of the commonwealth of Independent States Loss of role as world superpower End of the Cold War Economic hardships Conflicts between pro-communist and pro-democratic groups Minority revolts and civil conflicts Effects