“ What led to the breakup of the Soviet Union
and what were some of the countries that
became free of the Soviet domination?”
By Kaitlin Shorr
Before the Soviet Union
 Russians and Germans joined together to fight a
bloody war against eastern Europe(1914)
 The new leader Vladimir Lenin lead the second revolt,
and they set up a communist state(1917)
 Communist state- means that the counties’ government
has strong control over the economy and society as a
whole
Beginning Soviet Union
 After civil war, Russian’s formed the Soviet
Union(1922)
 In 1941 the Nazi started WW2
Superpowers Wage the Cold
War
 When WW2 ended
 Joseph Stalin( Soviet Leader) protected the Soviet
Union from any invasions
 Communist governments were formed in neighboring
Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Romania, and
Bulgaria – these were “Satellite Nations”)
 They were isolated from western Europe and controlled
by the Soviet Union
Satellite Nations
Fall of Economy( 1940’s- 1980’s)
 Soviet Union faced many problems, producing poor quality
foods.
 The 15 countries that bordered Russia decided not to be a
part of the Soviet Union
 The countries split apart and had democratic election( they
chose their own leaders) and built a new government.
 Countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Estonia, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Russia,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
Mikhail Gorbachev ( 1985)
 The soviet’s new leader introduced new changes to the
economy
 Perestroika( restructuring)- let farmers and factory
managers make their own decisions.
 Free Enterprise- Economy where businesses are
privately owned, competition started resulting in lower
prices.
 Glasnost ( openness) -people could speak their own
mind (economy)
End of Soviet Union
 Some people doubted his policies
 People demanded more
 Led to the collapse of Soviet Union
 Massive protest(1980)
 Soviet satellite countries broke away
 15 republics declared their independence