Saturday, July 05, 2008

MWH4.3.3 End of the USSR

Topic: End of Communism in Eastern Europe & the USSR
Essential Question: Why did communism collapse in 1991?

  • Review
    • 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
    • How are Soviet Socialist Republics (SSRs) different from satellite states?
  • Understanding Goals:
    • How did the end of communism in Eastern Europe undermine the USSR?
      • Baltic nationalism & separatism
      • Soviet military crack-down
      • Anti-communists demand replacement of Communist Party
    • How did Perestroika bring about the collapse of the USSR?
      • closure of inefficient state firms = loss of jobs = increase in unemployment
      • shift to capitalist economy = market forces driven by profit = demand based on ability to pay = rise in prices = more financial burden on masses
      • privatization = poor production infrastructure + lack of know-how in managing market economy = decrease in supply = shortage of goods = catastroika
    • How did Glasnost bring about the collapse of the USSR?
      • relaxation of censorship to encourage contribution = renewal and review of Soviet history = criticism of Stalin, Khruschev and dictatorship of Communist Party
      • transparency to eliminate corruption = exposure of failings of party members and state companies = led lost of faith = open criticism of party eg. Chernobyl accident.
      • political openness to renew leadership = election to regional assembly = rise of Boris Yeltsin = challenges to Gorbachev and Communist Party
  • Performance:
    • Watch video: THE CHERNOBYL ACCIDENT. See photos of Chernobyl.
    • Attempt this SEQ. To be submitted on 9 Jul 08.
      (a) Why did Communist governments in Eastern Europe fall in 1989? [12]

      (b) The main reason for Gorbachev’s fall as leader of the Soviet Union was his policy of glasnost. How far do you agree with this judgement? Explain your answer. [13]