The Russian Federation — how the transition was achieved
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Flip to reveal answersWhat were Gorbachev's two key reforms from 1985?
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Question
What were Gorbachev's two key reforms from 1985?
Answer
Glasnost (openness/free speech) and perestroika (restructuring the economy) — meant to save communism, not end it.
Question
What happened in August 1991?
Answer
Hardline communists staged a coup against Gorbachev; Yeltsin resisted from atop a tank in Moscow; the coup collapsed within three days.
Question
When did the USSR formally end?
Answer
25 December 1991, when Gorbachev resigned as Soviet president after the Belavezha Accords (8 December) dissolved the union.
Question
What was the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)?
Answer
A loose association of 11 former Soviet republics formed on 21 December 1991 to replace the USSR.
Question
What caused the September–October 1993 constitutional crisis?
Answer
Yeltsin dissolved Russia's Soviet-era parliament without clear legal power; parliament refused to leave and declared him removed, leading to armed conflict.
Question
What did the Constitution of 1993 create?
Answer
A strong presidency able to appoint the PM, dissolve parliament, and rule by decree, with a weaker two-chamber parliament (Duma + Federation Council).
Question
Define 'shock therapy' in the Russian context.
Answer
Rapidly switching from a state-controlled economy to a free market all at once, led by Yegor Gaidar from January 1992.
Question
What was the immediate effect of price liberalization in January 1992?
Answer
Hyperinflation — prices spiked almost overnight and wiped out the value of citizens' savings.
Question
How did mass privatization (1992–94) work, and what went wrong?
Answer
Every citizen got a voucher to buy shares in state firms; most people sold cheaply out of need, so ownership concentrated in a few hands.
Question
What was 'loans-for-shares' and who benefited?
Answer
A 1995–96 scheme where bankers gave the government loans in exchange for shares in valuable state industries at low prices — it created the wealthy 'oligarch' class.
Question
Compare Gorbachev's and Yeltsin's goals.
Answer
Gorbachev wanted to reform and preserve the Soviet Union; Yeltsin wanted a fully independent, market-based Russia outside the USSR.
Question
What happened to Russia's economy in 1998?
Answer
The rouble collapsed and the government defaulted on its debt, exposing the fragility built up by weak tax collection during shock therapy.
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Topic 3.2 hub
The Russian Federation (1985–1999)
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