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The Soviet Union In The 1980s: An Analysis

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In the 1980s, the Soviet Union appeared to be growing stronger by the days. Underneath all that success, poor decisions, corrupted systems and outside interference eventually led to the fall of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. During the 1980s, while the communist party in the Soviet Union gained power, millions of average citizens were faced with starvation. The party pushed industrialization at any cost leading to shortages of food and goods. Industrialization was pushed to the limit, where soon many citizens did not have access to basic needs. Due to the large economic gap between the communist party and Soviet citizens, the younger generation rebelled against common communist ways. There was also involvement from the US under Ronald Reagan's …show more content…

“In the 1920, the Soviet Union was led by leaders like Lenin and Stalin”(Norwich University Professors). Thought these two leader ruled with great authority, it was their goal to maintain power over the land, government and people. This made them powerful in the eyes of their people. After “the removal of Nikita Khrushchev” there were no more leaders who personally dealt with the original revolutions(Norwich University Professors). The Politburo soon adapted to more conservation approaches towards problems in the Country. These lose ideals allowed for the elite to gain the majority of power in the Soviet Union and many citizen were faced with starvation. Soon younger generation refused adapt to Politburo’s policies as their parents did. When the Soviet Union soon needed the strength and support of its citizens, many were unwilling to help and save their country. Some might say that the Star wars program was a large part of the fall of the Soviet Union as they made it a central issue at the summit meetings in Geneva in 1985 and in 1986. There is evidence that suggest that the goals of the SDI program which was to dissuade the Soviets from competition and provide a more defensive environment, did not work(Podvig). As the SDI program failed to show any results, the Soviets developed and was ready to use highly dangerous weapons systems that would have elevated tensions with the U.S and the Soviet Union(Podvig). Furthermore the external interactions from the U.S regarding the Star wars program, didn’t have a lasting effect on the Soviet

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