The Collapse of the Soviet Union and the 1991 Coup

In late 1991, the Soviet Union faced a political collapse. Gorbachev's reforms, glasnost and perestroika, aimed to preserve the USSR but upset hardline communists. A 1991 coup attempt by Communist Party members failed due to public protests, military division, and international condemnation. The coup's failure accelerated the Soviet Union's dissolution, leading to Yeltsin's rise as Russia's first president.

What were the key reforms introduced by Gorbachev to preserve the USSR?

• Glasnost and Perestroika

• New Economic Policy

• Five-Year Plans

• Cultural Revolution

What was the outcome of the 1991 referendum regarding the USSR?

• Formation of a new communist bloc

• Continuation of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics

• Creation of the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics

• Complete dissolution of the USSR

Who was elected as the President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic in 1991?

• Mikhail Gorbachev

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Boris Yeltsin

• Nikita Khrushchev

What was the main goal of the August 1991 coup plotters?

• To join the European Union

• To establish a capitalist economy

• To promote democratic reforms

• To restore the Communist Party's control

Which leader became a central opponent of the 1991 coup?

• Vladimir Putin

• Leonid Brezhnev

• Boris Yeltsin

• Joseph Stalin

How did Western leaders react to the 1991 coup in the Soviet Union?

• They provided military aid to the coup leaders

• They condemned the coup and halted cooperation

• They remained neutral

• They supported the coup

Which countries supported the 1991 coup in the Soviet Union?

• United States and United Kingdom

• Cuba, North Korea, and China

• France and Germany

• Japan and South Korea

What was a major reason for the failure of the 1991 coup?

• Strong public opposition and protests

• Lack of international support

• Complete military backing

• Economic prosperity

What was the fate of the Soviet Union after the failed coup?

• It joined the European Union

• It expanded its territory

• It dissolved within four months

• It became a stronger communist state

Who became Russia's first president after the dissolution of the USSR?

• Dmitry Medvedev

• Boris Yeltsin

• Mikhail Gorbachev

• Vladimir Putin