Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR)
Russian Revolution 1917
The 1917 Russian Revolution overthrew the old Russian Empire, which had recognized the United States in 1803 and established diplomatic relations in 1809. Normal diplomatic relations between the United States and Russia were interrupted in 1917 and were resumed on November 16, 1933, when President Franklin Roosevelt informed Soviet Foreign Minister Maxim Litvinov that the United States recognized the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and wished to establish normal diplomatic relations. Litvinov on the same day replied that his government was glad to establish normal diplomatic relations and exchange ambassadors. With the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, the United States considered the Russian Federation as the successor state of the USSR. Please view the country entry for Russia.
The Soviet Union was composed of 15 constituent soviet socialist republics. Those were Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.
The Rise and Fall of the USSR: A Legacy That Shaped the World
Origins: The Birth of a Superpower:
The USSR was founded in December 1922, following the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, which overthrew the Russian Empire. Led by Vladimir Lenin and the Communist Party, the new socialist state aimed to establish a classless, stateless society based on Marxist-Leninist principles.
Joseph Stalin, who took power after Lenin's death in 1924, transformed the USSR into an industrial and military powerhouse. However, his rule was marked by brutal purges, forced collectivization, and widespread repression. Despite this, the USSR played a key role in defeating Nazi Germany during World War II, solidifying its status as a superpower.
History of Cold War
The Cold War Era: A Rivalry That Defined Decades
After World War II, the USSR and the United States became the two dominant world powers, engaging in the Cold War—a political, ideological, and military rivalry that lasted for nearly five decades. The world saw proxy wars, an arms race, and the space race, with milestones such as:
The formation of NATO (1949) and the Warsaw Pact (1955)
The Korean War (1950–1953) and the Vietnam War (1955–1975)
The Cuban Missile Crisis (1962), which brought the world to the brink of nuclear war
The USSR's success in launching the first human, Yuri Gagarin, into space (1961)
The Cold War saw the USSR expand its influence over Eastern Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America, promoting communist revolutions and challenging Western capitalism.
Economic and Political Struggles:
Despite its military might, the USSR faced significant economic and social problems. The planned economy struggled with inefficiency, corruption, and stagnation. Citizens experienced shortages of basic goods, and state censorship limited freedoms.
By the 1980s, under Mikhail Gorbachev’s leadership, reforms like Perestroika (economic restructuring) and Glasnost (political openness) aimed to modernize the system. However, these changes weakened central control, encouraged nationalist movements, and exposed the deep flaws of the Soviet system.
The Collapse: The End of USSR:
The Soviet Union dissolved on December 26, 1991, following internal conflicts, economic decline, and the rise of independence movements in its republics. The fall of the Berlin Wall (1989) and the failed August Coup (1991) accelerated its downfall. The 15 republics, including Russia, Ukraine, and the Baltic States, became independent nation.
A.K.S 🦅