1.5. Timeline of Disintegration of the Soviet Union

1985 March: Mikhail Gorbachev elected as the General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union; appoints Boris Yeltsin as the head of the Communist Party in Moscow; initiates a series of reforms in the Soviet Union.

In March 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. His election was pivotal as it marked the beginning of significant reforms aimed at addressing the faltering Soviet economy and political system. Gorbachev's appointment of Boris Yeltsin as head of the Communist Party in Moscow was part of his strategy to galvanize reforms at various levels of the government.

Think of Gorbachev like a new captain of a ship that had been sailing in stormy seas for a long time. He needed to make quick and effective decisions to change its course and avoid sinking.

1988 June: Independence movement begins in Lithuania; later spreads to Estonia and Latvia.

By June 1988, Lithuania sparked an independence movement, challenging the Soviet control. This movement quickly spread to neighboring Estonia and Latvia, showcasing the growing desire for sovereignty among the Baltic states. Gorbachev's reforms, intended to liberalize the political landscape, inadvertently encouraged these republics to seek independence.

Imagine a high school where students are unhappy with strict rules. When one student speaks up and asserts their right to free expression, it motivates others to speak out as well, leading to a full-blown demand for change.

1990 February: Gorbachev strips the Soviet Communist Party of its 72-year-long monopoly on power by calling on the Soviet parliament (Duma) to permit multi-party politics.

In February 1990, Gorbachev announced significant reforms by allowing multi-party politics, thus ending the Communist Party's 72-year monopoly on power. This decision opened the political space and permitted the rise of various political movements, contributing to the ongoing disintegration of Soviet authority.

This situation is like a long-standing organization that has only allowed one leader. Once the leader decides to hold elections and invite others to run, it suddenly becomes a bustling arena of ideas and competition.

1990 March: Lithuania becomes the first of the 15 Soviet republics to declare its independence.

Lithuania took a bold step in March 1990 by declaring its independence from the Soviet Union, becoming the first of the fifteen republics to do so. This act was a significant challenge to Soviet authority and inspired other republics to follow suit.

Consider Lithuania as a brave first-grader who stands up to their strict teacher when they realize the teacher's rules are unfair. This act encourages other students to also voice their concerns.

1990 June: Russian parliament declares its independence from the Soviet Union.

In June 1990, the Russian parliament declared its independence, signifying a crucial moment in the disintegration of the Soviet Union. This declaration underlined the diminishing power of the central Soviet authority and emphasized the desire for self-governance among the various republics.

Think of this like a large family where one sibling decides they want to live independently. This move can influence other siblings to consider their own independence as well.

1991 June: Yeltsin, no longer in the Communist Party, becomes the President of Russia.

Boris Yeltsin's rise to the presidency in June 1991 marked a decisive shift in Russian governance away from Communist Party influence. His leadership was indicative of a broader movement towards democratic governance within Russia and signaled a further weakening of the central Soviet authority.

Imagine a sports team that has been under the same coach for decades. A new coach comes in who supports new strategies and allows the players more autonomy, leading to innovative plays and overall success.

1991 August: The Communist Party hardliners stage an abortive coup against Gorbachev.

In August 1991, hardline members of the Communist Party attempted a coup to oust Gorbachev from power, fearing his reforms would lead to the complete disintegration of Soviet control. However, the coup failed due to popular resistance, especially in Moscow, signifying the declining power of traditional Soviet authority.

Think of a failing child in a school who tries to frighten the principal by staging a protest. Instead of cowering, the students unite and support the principal, demonstrating the loss of power from the protestors.

1991 December: Russia, Belarus and Ukraine decide to annul the 1922 Treaty on the Creation of the USSR and establish the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS); Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan join the CIS (Georgia joins later in 1993).

In December 1991, the leaders of Russia, Belarus, and Ukraine declared the annulment of the 1922 treaty that established the Soviet Union, leading to the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). This marked the formal end of the USSR, as other republics followed suit in seeking independence.

This development can be compared to a once-united group of friends who find themselves disagreeing over key issues and ultimately choose to go their separate ways instead of being forced to stay together.

1991 December 25: Gorbachev resigns as the President of the Soviet Union; the end of the Soviet Union.

On December 25, 1991, Gorbachev officially resigned as the President of the Soviet Union, signifying the ultimate collapse of the Soviet state. His resignation sealed the fate of the USSR and marked the transition to independence for the republics that had sought greater autonomy.

Think of this moment as a CEO resigning after leading a company through a difficult period. The resignation indicates that the company will move in a new direction, free from the old leadership.

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