Communism and
Socialism in the union of Soviet Socialist Republic (U.S.S.R) were cursed
from the beginning. Communism in the U.S.S.R didn't work due to lack of
support fro influencing nations as well as the corruption within its leadership.
It was condemned due to the frailties of humanity which made what looks
almost perfect on paper virtually impossible in the real world. the aftermath
of these two systems was a fierce and sudden one which left one of the
two most powerful nations in the world shaking in its refuge.
Mikhail Gorbachev
had quite an influence on the fall of Communism. He came into the leadership
of Communism towards the end with a plan. That plan was aimed at giving
the overrun its voice in government, allowing constructive criticism of
the system. Gorbachev wanted to change the nations leadership from party
to state, or establish an elected body f rule. This form of government
would be acceptable to the people and take the place of the Communists
as U.S.S.R's rulers. Most of the world was precarious of Gorbachev's ideas
in these matters. his thoughts were met with cautious optimism at best.
Skepticism was increased with the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear disaster in which
the Russians tried to cover up. Gorbachev tried to use this to his advantage
and proclaimed that Chernobyl was a symbol of the old order an instituted
a policy of nearly complete exposure. this news did not reach the western
world for quite sometime. in the fall of 1987 Boris Yeltsin, the later
of the Radical Reform Movement was removed from the top offices within
the party. ironically, Yeltsin was elected into the legislature the next
year.
The Reunification
of germany was probably one of the most prominent events that contributed
to the Fall of Communism. After World War II Germany was divided into four
separate sections. One each controlled by great Britain, United States,
France, and the Soviet Union. the three western powers were not able to
come to terms with the U.S.S.R and on may 31 1948 created the german Federal
Republic or West Germany. In response to this the Soviets created the German
Democratic Republic, or East germany. Germany was then split into two separate
sections instead f four.
these two republic
were significant to the distinct separation between he Communists and the
rest of the world for more then forty years. Although a diplomatic ban
that was issued with the formation was lifted into Sept. of 1974 the countries
were still not as ease with each other. the most noticeable symbol of the
separation of the two nations was The berlin Wall.
The berlin Wall
was a barrier that was meant to stop the flow of people who were seeking
a better life out of the Eastern State. It was a physical obstacle that
would prevent the east and west from unification.
the COld War
took place mostly in germany so the two rival nations shared a border.
Soviets had an extreme influence over the socialist party (east Germany).
Nevertheless the west was able to regain its power. A break-up of the communist
party scattered support for the government and the Communists were eventually
discharged.
At midnight
on October 2 1990, a replica of the Liberty bell was rung in Berlin to
symbolize the reunification of germany as a democratic nation. Although
this wasn't a direct threat to
the U.S.S.R at the time, it was almost an
omen of things to come. the nd of communism was an international trend
and soon would hit the Soviet Union.
The break-up
of the soviet Union began with two attempts to overthrow the government.
The first was in August of 1990. It was set by eight officials calling
themselves the State Committee on the State of Emergency. They trapped
Boris Yelstin, President of the russian state within the U.S.S.R. The other,
in August 1991 was attempted by hard-line Communists. their goal to remove
Gorbachev from the office and restore the party's former authority. Yeltsin
intervened and his heroism made him one of the most popular leaders in
the Soviet history. Yeltsin then proceeded to make a treaty that would
strengthen the ties between russia and the 14 other republics within the
U.S.S.R. His attempts were unsuccessful. Both
Georgia and Lithuania had declared
their independence in 1990. immediately following them Latvia and Estonia
declared their independence as well. later that month the remaining ten
republics declared their independence from the U.S.S.R.
The Soviet Union
fought their declarations and ended up killing fourteen Lithuanians and
wounding 700 others. In the end, their effort was unsuccessful, as well
as unpopular. People frowned upon the Soviets actions strongly. Finally,
in September of 1991, the independence of the 14 republics were acknowledged.
Communism ands Socialism had finally fallen.