Saturday, June 28, 2008

MWH4.3.2 Soviet Union under Gorbachev

Topic: End of Communism in Eastern Europe & the USSR
Essential Question: Why did communism collapse in 1991?
  • Review
    • Was the end of communism inevitable?
      • War communism & New Economic Policy
      • Stalin's collectivisation & purges
      • Revolts in Eastern Europe: Berlin uprising, Hungarian Revolt, Prague Spring
    • How are Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs) different from satellite states?
  • Understanding Goals:
    • Why did Gorbachev have to introduce reforms in the USSR?
    • What were the problems that the USSR faced in 1985?
      • economic struggles of eastern European satellites
      • preservation of Warsaw Pact
      • financial burden of arms race
      • effects of fighting proxy wars
      • social & economic problems of command economy
      • gerentocracy
  • Performance:
    • Watch video: FALL OF COMMUNISM
    • Explain how Perestroika & Glasnost was intended to help solve the problems that the USSR faced in 1985.
    • What were the unintended consequences?
    • Notes can be downloaded here.