Soviet objects misha

Collapse of the Soviet Union

By MrChiang
  • Death of Leonid Brezhnev

    Death of Leonid Brezhnev

    After the death of Brezhnev, his next two sucessors each dies after only a year in office. The Soviet Union is forced to find new leadership.
  • Mikhail Gorbachev Elected Soviet Leader

    Mikhail Gorbachev Elected Soviet Leader

    Gorbachev becomes the youngest leader of the Soviet Union since Stalin. His reforms make the Soviet Union a more open society.
  • Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

    Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty

    Realizing the Soviet Union can no longer afford a costly arms race with the United States, Gorbachev signs the INF Treaty.
  • Lithuania Declares Independence

    Lithuania Declares Independence

    In response to the declaration of independence, Gorbachev orders a violent crackdown that results in the death of unarmed civilians.
  • The August Coup Begins

    The August Coup Begins

    Hardliners detain Gorbachev and demand he resign.
  • Period: to

    The August Coup

    Although the coup does not succeed, it greatly destabilised the Soviet Union.
  • The End of the Soviet Union

    The End of the Soviet Union

    Gorbachev resigns and the Soviet Union ceases to exist.