Soviet Union History and Reforms

The video explores the collapse of the Soviet Union, starting with the Cold War tensions between the U.S. and the Soviet Union. It discusses the economic struggles under Brezhnev's leadership and the introduction of Gorbachev's reforms, perestroika and glasnost, which aimed to restructure the economy and promote openness. These reforms inadvertently led to rising ethnic tensions and nationalism, contributing to the Soviet Union's collapse. The video also covers the revolts in Eastern Europe, the fall of the Berlin Wall, and the subsequent end of the Cold War, leading to democratic and capitalist transformations in Eastern Europe.

What was the primary cause of the unexpected collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1980s?

• Invasion by neighboring countries

• Natural disasters

• Military defeat by the United States

• Economic stagnation and internal reforms

What type of economy did the Soviet Union have under Brezhnev?

• Market economy

• Mixed economy

• Traditional economy

• Planned economy

Which of the following was NOT a factor in the Soviet Union's economic troubles during Brezhnev's era?

• Lack of incentives for innovation

• Crop failures

• High worker productivity

• Inefficient bureaucracy

What was the main goal of Gorbachev's perestroika reform?

• To increase military spending

• To restructure the Soviet economy

• To promote cultural exchange

• To expand Soviet territory

What did glasnost aim to achieve in the Soviet Union?

• Reduction in agricultural production

• Openness and freedom of speech

• Increase in military power

• Expansion of Soviet borders

How did Gorbachev's reforms affect ethnic tensions in the Soviet Union?

• They exacerbated ethnic tensions

• They had no impact on ethnic tensions

• They led to increased military control

• They completely resolved ethnic tensions

Which country held elections in 1989 that signaled a shift away from Soviet influence?

• Czechoslovakia

• Hungary

• Poland

• Germany

What significant event symbolized the crumbling of Soviet power in 1989?

• The election of a new Soviet leader

• The launch of a space mission

• The signing of a peace treaty

• The fall of the Berlin Wall

What was one of the outcomes of the Soviet Union's collapse in 1991?

• The expansion of the Soviet Union

• The start of World War III

• The establishment of capitalist economies in Eastern Europe

• The unification of the United States and Canada

Which two countries emerged from the split of Czechoslovakia?

• Poland and Hungary

• Czech Republic and Slovakia

• Romania and Bulgaria

• Germany and Austria