The Collapse of the Soviet Union

Front

Economic and ____________ reforms were occurring within the Soviet Union through the leadership of their leader, Mikhail Gorbachev.

Back

social

Front

Slowly, Gorbachev took the steps needed to ________________ their communist government.

Back

dismantle

Front

He slowly began releasing government control of citizens by increasing ____________________ and provided more ____________________ to Soviet citizens.

Back

personal freedoms, economic opportunities

Front

As reforms spread throughout this region of the world, the Soviet Union was no longer _____________.

Back

stable

Front

In 1991, _________________ faced aggression within its own country and a resistance formed.

Back

Gorbachev

Front

Communist hardliners within the government were poised to change the country back to its traditional _____________ system.

Back

communist

Front

Their plan was to accomplish government takeover through a _______________.

Back

military coup (takeover)

Front

This failed due to their soldiers’ _______________ to cooperate.

Back

unwillingness

Front

As a result, the Soviet Union ________________ into fifteen newly separate countries.

Back

disintegrated (came apart)

Front

These countries became loosely aligned in a “_____________________ of Independent States,” with each existing as a separate independent country.

Back

Commonwealth