Why Did The Soviet Union Decline

From Revolution to Ruin: Unraveling the Complex Forces Behind the Soviet Union's Dissolution The collapse of the Soviet Union, a transformative event marking the end of a geopolitical era, was primarily driven by a combination of internal economic inefficiencies, failed political reforms such as Gorbachev's Perestroika and Glasnost, and the exacerbating effect of external pressures including the arms race and global shifts towards neoliberal policies. These factors, compounded by the rise of nationalist movements within its republics, not only highlighted the systemic flaws inherent in the Soviet economic and political structure but also significantly undermined the legitimacy of the Soviet state, leading to its eventual dissolution in 1991. Economic
The Baltic States' drive for independence, bolstered by international recognition and support, became a symbol of the broader disintegration. When the European Community and the United States began to openly welcome and recognize the independence of Soviet republics, it signaled an unequivocal international endorsement of their sovereignty, further undermining the Kremlin's authority. Additionally, the Soviet Union's involvement in Afghanistan marked a significant drain on its resources and morale, likened to the United States' experience in Vietnam, contributing to the pervasive sense of a failing empire. In conclusion, the fall of the Soviet Union was a turning point in world history that not only altered the geopolitical environment but also indicated a change in the global balance of power. Even though the Soviet Union's collapse was largely caused by internal problems, a variety of external factors and the dynamics of international relations also had a major role in exacerbating the Union's