End of the Cold War and the fall of the USSR

Reykjyavik Summit

Oct 11, 1986

Gorbachev accepted Reagan's "zero option" plan and proposed abolishment of nuclear weapons within 10 years

INF Treaty

Dec 8, 1987

Drastically assymetrical reduction of nuclear weapons-destruction of 851 Soviet launchers and 1836 missiles compared to 283 American launchers and 867 missiles

Gorbachev's speech at the UN

Dec 7, 1988

Announced that international relations would now be free of idealogy
Endorsed freedom of choice
Reduction in the Soviet military prescence in Eastern Europe

Solidarity wins Polish elections

Jun 4, 1989

Marked the end of the Cold War as defined by a division in Europe

Fall of Berlin Wall

Nov 9, 1989

Marked the end of the Cold War as defined by a division in Europe

Union Treaty

Nov 25, 1990

Giving more autonomy to the Soviet republics

August Coup

Aug 19, 1991

Gorbachev's drastic concessions made the hardliners certain that his weakness was undermining the position of The USSR and the CPSU. The hardliners saw the Treaty as heralding the collapse of The USSR and also learnt that Gorbachev plann to replace them with liberal supporters of the new concessions to the republics.