In 1989, people brought down the Berlin Wall, which was constructed during the Cold War and symbolized its strength. The dramatic event was followed by a historic chain of events that ultimately led to the collapse of the  ‘second world’ and end of the Cold War. Germany, which was split after World War II, was brought together. The Soviet Union remained passive as the Cold War came to a close, bringing an end not through military tactics but through widespread acts by regular citizens. In the end, the Soviet Union collapsed on its own. 

About Soviet System

The formation of the USSR occurred after the Socialist Revolution in Russia in 1917. The rebellion originated from socialist beliefs and the wish for an equitable society, in opposition to capitalism.

Birth and Structure of the USSR

• Formation: USSR came into being after socialist revolution in Russia in 1917.
• Ideological Foundations: Revolution was inspired by ideals of socialism, as opposed to capitalism, and the need for an egalitarian society.
• Soviet Political System: Soviet political system centred around a communist party, and no other political party or opposition was allowed.
  • Economy was planned and controlled by state.
• Soviet Bloc: After the Second World War,  eastern European countries that Soviet army had liberated from fascist forces came under control of USSR.
  • This group of countries was called the Second World or ‘socialist bloc’ held together by The Warsaw Pact, a military alliance.

Soviet Union as a Superpower

• USSR as a Global Power: The USSR was the leader of the bloc. After the Second World War, the Soviet Union became a great power. The Soviet economy was then more developed than the rest of the world except for the US. The Soviet state ensured a minimum standard of living for all citizens, and the government subsidized necessities including health, education, childcare, and other welfare schemes. There was no unemployment.
• Soviet Social Contract: The Soviet system became very bureaucratic and authoritarian, making life very difficult for its citizens.
• Authoritarianism and Stagnation: The lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech stifled people who often expressed their dissent in jokes and cartoons.

Decline of Soviet Union

• Limits of Soviet System: Most of the institutions of the Soviet state needed reform as one party system represented by Communist Party of Soviet Union had tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people.
• Arms Race and Economic Strain: In the arms race, Soviet Union managed to match the US from time to time, but at great cost. 
  • Soviet Union lagged behind the West in technology, infrastructure, and most importantly, in fulfilling political or economic aspirations of citizens.
• Afghan War: Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 weakened system even further.
• Economic Crisis: Though wages continued to grow, productivity and technology fell considerably behind that of the West. 
  • This led to shortages in all consumer goods. Food imports increased every year.
  • The Soviet economy was faltering in the late 1970s and became stagnant. 

Gorbachev and the Disintegration of USSR

Soviet System: Mikhail Gorbachev, who had become General Secretary of Communist Party of  Soviet Union in 1985, sought to reform this system.

• He decided to normalize relations with the West and democratize and reform the Soviet Union but he did not anticipate defects in the system.
• Fall of Communist Regimes: People in East European countries which were part of the Soviet bloc started to protest against their own governments and Soviet control.
• • The Soviet Union, under Gorbachev, did not intervene when disturbances occurred, and communist regimes collapsed one after another.
• Reform Resistance and Coup: The democratic reforms were opposed by leaders within Communist Party. 
  • A coup took place in 1991 that was encouraged by Communist Party hardliners.
  • The people had tasted freedom by then and did not want an old-style rule of Communist Party. 
• Dissolution of Soviet Union: In December 1991, under leadership of Yeltsin, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus, three major republics of the USSR, declared that the Soviet Union was disbanded. 
  • Capitalism and democracy were adopted as bases for post-Soviet republics.
• Successor State: Russia was now accepted as successor state of the Soviet Union. 
  • It inherited the Soviet seat in the UN Security Council. 
  • Russia accepted all international treaties and commitments of the Soviet Union.

Causes of the Disintegration of Soviet Union

Systemic Flaws and Public Dissatisfaction: The internal weaknesses of Soviet political and economic institutions, which failed to meet aspirations of people, were responsible for the collapse of the system.

• Economic stagnation for many years led to severe consumer shortages and a large section of Soviet society began to doubt and question the system and to do so openly.
• Resource Misallocation: Soviet economy used much of its resources in maintaining a nuclear and military arsenal and developing its satellite states in Eastern Europe and within the Soviet system. 
  • Thus, economic stagnation for many years led to severe consumer shortages and a large section of Soviet society began to doubt and question system.
• The Communist Party that had ruled the Soviet Union for over 70 years was not accountable to people. 
  • Ordinary people were alienated by slow and stifling administration, rampant corruption, inability of the system to correct mistakes it had made, unwillingness to allow more openness in government, and centralization of authority in a vast land.
• Authoritarian Rule and Public Alienation: When Gorbachev carried out his reforms and loosened the system, he set in motion forces and expectations that few could have predicted and became virtually impossible to control.
  • There were sections of Soviet society that felt that Gorbachev should have moved much faster and were disappointed and impatient with his methods.
• Rise of nationalism and desire for sovereignty within various republics including Russia and Baltic Republics (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania), Ukraine, Georgia, and others proved to be the final and most immediate cause for the disintegration of the USSR.

Consequences of the Disintegration of Soviet Union

End of Cold War: It meant the end of Cold War confrontations. 

• The ideological dispute over whether socialist system was over.
• Shift in Global Power Dynamics: Power relations in world politics changed and, therefore, relative influence of ideas and institutions.
•  US Hegemony and Triumph of Capitalism: The US became the sole superpower. Backed by the power and prestige of the US, the capitalist economy was now accepted as the dominant economic system internationally.
  • Institutions like the World Bank and International Monetary Fund became powerful advisors to all countries
• Rise of Liberal Democracy: Politically, the notion of liberal democracy emerged as the best way to organize political life.

Conclusion 

The end of the Soviet bloc meant the emergence of many new countries. All these countries had their independent aspirations and choices. Some of them, especially Baltic and East European states, wanted to join the European Union and become part of North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Central Asian countries wanted to take advantage of their geographical location and continue their close ties with Russia and also to establish ties with West, the US, China, and others.

Timeline of Disintegration of the Soviet Union: