The collapse of the USSR

1
The collapse of the USSR
Imagine you are a Soviet citizen. You are a
strict Communist, and have been taught to always
believe in the greatness of the USSR. Write a
diary entry about each of the crises that brought
down the USSR. Make sure you always mention
your beliefs and explain why Gorbachevs policies
are so shocking.
Crisis 1
1986 Gorbachev met US President Reagan and told
him that he would be cutting back on the USSRs
nuclear weapons even if the USA kept all its
missiles.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 2
1987 Gorbachev encouraged freedom of speech and
religion. He released many people from prison
camps even though they continued to criticise
communism.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 3
1988 Gorbachev announced that he would be
greatly reducing the number of Soviet troops
guarding eastern Europe.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 4
1989 Gorbachev did nothing when demonstrators
ended communism in many countries in eastern
Europe. The Berlin Wall was knocked down as a
sign that the iron curtain no longer existed.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 5
1990 Gorbachev tried to encourage trade by
allowing capitalist businesses to start in the
USSR. Mcdonalds opened a fast food store in
Moscow. Gorbachev said non-Communist parties
would be allowed in the USSR. A popular leader,
Boris Yeltsin, started a capitalist party.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 6
1991 Some communists tried to remove Gorbachev
and take the country back to Stalins ways. This
coup detat failed but Gorbachev was obviously
losing control. Boris Yeltsin was more popular.
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The collapse of the USSR
Crisis 7
1992 The Soviet Union ended on 1 January. It
broke up into 15 separate nations. Boris Yeltsin
was the leader of the biggest of these Russia.
He promised to follow capitalism, not communism.
Gorbachev retired from politics.