Soviet Union Essays - Dissolution Of The Soviet Union, Perestroika

Soviet Union Joseph Stalin (1927-1953) led the Soviet State through the challenges of World War II. Although the war was a terrible drain on the already impoverished and exhausted society, it resulted, paradoxically in strengthening the Soviet dictatorship. The war distracted the Soviet people from Stalin's excesses in previous years and generated patriotism and national unity. It also greatly strengthened the Soviet military. The Soviet Union emerged from the war as second in power only to the United States. (Dr. Minton F, Goldman) So what were the factors that contributed to the collapse of the super power and what is preventing Russia from re-entering the international community as a stabilized independent country. In the beginning, Communism seemed to be the utopian ideal for the people of Russia because it promised elimination of classes, guaranteed employment, and gave hope that "The creation of a comprehensive social security and welfare system for all citizens that would end the misery of workers once and for all." In 1917, when Lenin came to power the socialist dictatorship underwent radical changes in it's economic doctrines adopting the New Economic Policy giving control of the majority of means of production to the government. Lenin's government made many achievements and in fact throughout the majority of Communist rule, censorship and subordination of interest groups was imposed to stop dissension and increase conformity to the new government's policies. After Lenin's death in 1924, his predecessor Joseph Stalin continued his reforms and at length became completely totalitarian making himself the most powerful man in Russia. Stalin began the Great Purge (campaign of removing all opposition to the Communist rule) in which millions of people were arrested and either harassed or killed. The economic system was changed so that the government controlled the entire system. All the private ownership ended, industrialization was commenced, and the strength of the military was substantially increased. During this period, agricultural production output diminished resulting in food shortages. These shortages were only enhanced by the mass exportation of food. Stalin also put the production of manufacturing machinery over basic consumer goods and other staples. To top things off, the Second World War broke out and drained most of what was left of the already impoverished state. Although Russia came out of the war a super power, the death of Stalin in 1953 marked the end of supreme power for the head of the Communist party. For the next several years, Russia went through different leaders trying to find one to save the suffering society. Khrushchev achieved minor reforms, but was dismissed due to shortages in grain and dairy products and his blame for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Leonid Brezhnev reversed most of the progress made by Krushchev and restored many of Stalin's political disciplinary policies. During this time, there was an inefficient use land, labor and resources, which resulted in an economic slackening. Bureaucrats were paid for loyalty with material wealth and public interests were placed secondary to personal gain. In the 1980's, the already impoverished standard of living for Soviet citizens dropped dramatically. This caused strikes and public outcry against the administration, which threatened the stability of the Soviet Union. The people were angry because in exchange for their obedience, the Communist Party had promised them employment, free health care, and a level of comfort. None of these promises was fulfilled. When Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary in 1985, he began a program called "Perestroika" which was the organizational restructuring of the Soviet economy and government apparatus. He also began a policy called "Glasnost" to support the restructuring. "Glasnost" which emphasized openness with regard to discussion of social problems and shortcomings. The purpose of these reforms was to elevate the Soviet standard of living in order to reaffirm the citizenry's loyalties to the Communist Party and to enable the restoration of the Soviet economy and ideal. State control was lessened and individual initiative encouraged. He took many different steps to ease international affairs as well. However, during this period of change, strong nationalistic opinion started in the republics of the Soviet Union causing major upheaval. In 1991, as the Soviet economy deteriorated, Gorbachev faced competing pressures from hard-line Communists, from free-market reformers, and from nationalists and secessionists seeking independence for their republics. Gorbachev suspended party activities, placed reformers in charge of the military and KGB, and allowed Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania to become independent republics. The USSR voted itself out of existence in 1991, and Gorbachev resigned as its president. Under the Communist regime, there were immense social problems. In the period before Gorbachev, all religion was made extremely difficult to practice