Disintegration of USSR

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Running head: DISINTEGRATION OF USSR


Disintegration of USSR
Nitasha
XYZ University

Disintegration Of USSR (Soviet Union)
The great Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), which emerged as a result of the spectacular October 1917 revolution, disintegrated even more dramatically in December 1991. The fall of Soviet Union with its far-reaching consequences on the global politics is regarded as the most important political event of the 20th century. It would be interesting to study the political, economic and social factors, which contributed to the fall of this great country. As Sam Marcy (http://eserver.org/history/collapse-of-ussr.txt) says

The collapse of the USSR has inevitably caused wholesale desertions from Marxism. This is not uncommon when great catastrophes are experienced by the world working class. Nevertheless, over a protracted period, the working class has always shown astonishing recovery and regeneration. We believe that the dissolution of the USSR will be no exception.1

Historical Background
The recorded history of the Soviet Union dates back to the 8th century A.D. when the European and Middle Eastern traders explored this region. At that time it was inhabited by the Slavic tribes. However the Scandinavian chieftains established the first Russian empire in the 9th century, which centered round Kiev and Novgorad. Later on this region remained under the control of the Mongols from 13th to the 15th century. Ivan the Great was declared the first Tsar of unified Russian principality in 1547. Ivan conquered Kazan and Astrakhan and established trading links with England. After that Peter the Great (1682-1725) remained the Tsar and emperor of Russia from 1682 to 1725. Peter introduced many reforms in the country and in 1703 founded the city of Petersburg. Thus the Great Russian Empire was founded which in future was destined to play important role in the politics of the world. By the 19th century Russian ...