Breakup of the Soviet Union

Definition

The breakup of the Soviet Union was a process of dissolution where the republics in the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) separated from its central government. It occurred from 1988 to 1991, leading to the end of the Cold War and creating 15 post-Soviet states.

Analogy

Think about it like a popular band breaking up. Just as each member goes on to pursue their solo career, each republic became an independent nation after leaving the USSR.

Related terms

Glasnost: A policy that called for increased openness and transparency in government institutions and activities in the Soviet Union.

Perestroika: A political movement within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union during 1980s, widely associated with Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev. Its literal meaning is "restructuring", referring to restructuring of Soviet political and economic system.

Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between powers in Eastern Bloc (Soviet Union and its satellite states) and powers in Western Bloc (United States, its NATO allies and others) after World War II.