FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION

RONALD REAGAN

• Was elected president of U.S in 1980.
• Called the Soviets "Evil Empire".
• Began the greatest Arms Race in U.S history.
• Gave Military aid to Afghan Rebels.
• Helped tear down the Berlin Wall.

LEONID BREZHNEV

• Emerged asdominant leader in 1970s
• He was determined to keep eastern europe in communist hands
• He wasn't interested in reform
• He benefited from more relaxed atmosphere associated with detente
• The soviets were equal to yhe U.S in nuclear arms

LEONID BRZHNEV

• In economic policies he continued to emphasize heavy industry
• By the 1970s the communist ruling class in the soviet had become corrupt
• Party and state leaders as well as kgb enjoyed high standard living
• By 1980 the soviet was seriously ailing
• Also with a declining economy

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

• Brought dramatic end when in power in 1985
• Made a intermediate-range nuclear force treaty with U.S.
• Hoped to make far reaching economic and internal reforms
• He encouraged glasnost
• The glasnost led to stunning changes

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

• Debt in Russia tripled
• U.S and Russia knew their large arms race would make it difficult to solve domestic problems
• Stopped giving soviet military support to communist governments
• This opened the door to the overthrow of communist regimes
• A mostly peaceful revolutionary swept through eastern Europe in 1989

MIKHAIL GORBACHEV

• The reunification of Germany in October 3,1990 was a powerful symbol
• 1991 the USSR was dissolved
• Renewal between the two superpowers was now almost impossible
• The end of the soviets seemed unlikely
• How did it turnaround in such a short time

BORIS YELTSIN

• President of Russian republic
• Soviet republics moved for complete independence
• Gorbachev left power to yeltsin in 1991
• The soviet union came to and end
• Committed to a free market economy

VLADMIR PUTIN

• Elected President in 2000.
• Vowed to adopt a more assertive international role.
• Launched to boost growth and budget revenues in July 2001.
• Included Free Sale and Purchase Of Land.
• Russia has experienced a budget surplus and a growing economy.

ETHAN MORRISON