The Collapse of the Soviet Union: Causes and Consequences

Abstract

This article examines the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, analyzing the causes behind its disintegration and the consequences for both Russia and the wider world. The study focuses on the political and economic reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev, particularly perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness), and their unintended consequences on the stability of the Soviet state. The paper investigates the internal and external pressures that contributed to the collapse, including the economic stagnation of the 1980s, rising nationalism within Soviet republics, and the failure to address the demands for political reform. The research also explores the role of the West, particularly the United States, in influencing Soviet policies during the Cold War’s final years. The article concludes by assessing the long-term impact of the Soviet collapse on Russia’s post-Soviet transition, the emergence of Vladimir Putin, and the political landscape of the former Soviet republics.