The collapse of the Soviet Union, 1985-1991

Gorbachev comes to power. Political overview ; Glasnost ; Social, environmental and nuclear power issues

Perestroika in action. The economy, 1985-90 ; Foreign policy

The national question. The submerged dilemma ; Nagorno-Karabakh ; The Baltic states ; Georgia, Ukraine, and Belarus ; The Plenum on national policy, September 1989

Domestic politics, 1989 to mid-August 1991. The Congress of Peoples Deputies and new presidency ; The 28th Party Congress and aftermath ; The referendum of 17 March 1991 ; Toward a new Union Treaty

The Putsch and the collapse of the USSR. The Putsch, 18-21 August 1991 ; Administrative changes ; The failure of the Union Treaty ; Yeltsin consolidates his power ; The Belavezha Agreement

Why did the Soviet Union Collapse?

Glossary

Who's who.