The dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on December 31, 1991, stunned the world. The communist empire—which had been a dominant force in global politics for 74 years, influencing world events from World War II to issues of nuclear weapons and defense during the Cold War—was suddenly gone. The Collapse of the Soviet Union highlights major events in Soviet history, such as the rise of communism in Russia, the terror and expansionist policies of Joseph Stalin, the election of Mikhail Gorbachev, the explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear reactor, and the rivalry between Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin as a more democratic Russia emerged from the ashes of the Soviet Union.
Milestones in Modern World History introduces students to seminal historical events that helped shape the modern world. Bolstered by biographical sketches, illustrations, photographs, excerpts from primary source documents, and first-person narratives, this curriculum-based series is ideal for students writing reports.
1 A Public Challenge 7
2 Class Struggle in the Czarist State 14
3 The Bolshevik Revolution 25
4 War at Home and Abroad 35
5 The Cold War with the West 48
6 The Era of Gorbachev 62
7 The Empire Crumbles 75
8 The August Coup 85
9 After the Fall 99
Chronology and Timeline 108
Notes 111
Bibliography 114
Further Resources 117
Picture Credits 118
Index 119
About the Author 124
Overview
The dissolution of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics on December 31, 1991, stunned the world. The communist empire—which had been a dominant force in global politics for 74 years, influencing world events from World War II to issues of nuclear weapons and defense during the Cold War—was suddenly gone. The Collapse of the Soviet Union highlights major events in Soviet history, such as the rise of communism in Russia, the terror and expansionist policies of Joseph Stalin, the election of Mikhail Gorbachev, ...