Why Did the Soviet Union Collapse?: Understanding Historical Change: Understanding Historical Change

by Robert Strayer

Overview

Taking the Soviet collapse - the most cataclysmic event of the recent past - as a case study, this text engages students in the exercise of historical analysis, interpretation and explanation. In exploring the question posed by the title, the author introduces and applies such organizing concepts as great power conflict, imperial decline, revolution, ethnic conflict, colonialism, economic development, totalitarian ideology, and transition to democracy in a most accessible way. Questions and controversies, and extracts from documentary and literary sources, anchor the text at key points. This book is intended for use in history and political science courses on the Soviet Union or more generally on the 20th century.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780765600035
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	04/30/1998
Pages:	240
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)
Lexile:	1430L (what's this?)
Age Range:	18 Years

Table of Contents

Introduction: Contexts and Comparisons; Chapter 1 Legacies: The Burdens of Russian and Soviet History; Chapter 2 Cracks in the Foundation: The Post-Stalin Years; Chapter 3 Reviving Soviet Socialism: The Gorbachev Experiment; Chapter 4 Unintended Consequences: Economic Crisis and Social Awakening; Chapter 5 Passing into History: The Final Act of the Soviet Drama;