Collapse of the Soviet Union (mar 15, 1990 – dec 25, 1991)
Description:
On March 15, 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev became President of the Soviet Union. He eliminated traces of Stalinist oppression, granted new freedom to citizens, and released political prisoners. He opened a market economy and non-communist parties could participate in elections. Baltic states declared independence and Belarus and Ukraine broke away, forming the Commonwealth of Independent States. On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev stepped down and dissolved the Soviet Union. This is marked blue because the Soviet Union itself collapsed and the United States and capitalism won the Cold War.Added to timeline:
Date:
mar 15, 1990
dec 25, 1991
~ 1 years and 9 months