The rise of nationalism

• What was one of Gorbachev's first actions?

  To purge the party of Brezhnev's supporters
• What was the result of Gorbachev appointing his own followers?

  It introduced a largely Russian leadership
• How did the new leadership affect the Politburo's composition?

  It had only one non-Russian member
• What was the reaction of republics outside of Russia to the new leadership?

  It sparked resentment among those republics
• What economic condition was accelerated during Gorbachev's leadership?

  Economic decline
• Who was affected by the economic decline?

  People outside the USSR
• What did people across the republics blame for their economic problems?

  The new Russian leadership
• What did glasnost expose about Stalin's government?

  Persecution of ethnic minorities in the USSR
• How did glasnost affect perceptions of living standards?

  It revealed higher Western living standards
• What perception did glasnost undermine regarding the USSR?

  That the USSR benefited republics
• What did glasnost allow nationalist groups to do?

  Publish material demanding greater autonomy
• What significant event occurred in Azerbaijan in 1989?

  Nationalist protests broke out
• What led to riots in Azerbaijan in 1989?

  Competing demands of Armenian and Azerbaijani nationalists
• What happened to the Meskhetians in 1989?

  Uzbek nationalists massacred them
• What was the response of USSR authorities to the Meskhetian massacre?

  They couldn't restore peace in the area
• What happened during the protests by Georgian nationalists in 1989?

  Soviet troops killed 19 protesters
• What was the impact of the Chernobyl explosion?

  It led to the development of environmental groups
• What did the environmental groups focus on after Chernobyl?

  Saving the Russian landscape and environment
• What emerged in the Baltic states in 1988?

  Large 'popular fronts' dedicated to independence
• Who was blamed for the economic crisis?

  Soviet Union and Soviet leaders
• What was a consequence of growing nationalism in the USSR?

  It weakened the USSR
• What did the growing nationalism demonstrate about the communist party?

  It had little support in many areas
• What was the Sinatra Doctrine announced in August 1989?

  USSR's right to intervene was removed
• What did Gorbachev argue about different countries?

  They would follow their own path to communism
• What was the effect of the Sinatra Doctrine in Eastern Europe?

  It led to revolutions against communist rule
• How did democratization affect nationalist groups?

  It allowed them to organize and win elections
• What happened in March 1990 regarding Lithuania?

  President declared independence from the USSR
• How did Gorbachev respond to Lithuania's declaration of independence?

  He claimed it was illegal and imposed sanctions
• What occurred in January 1991 in Lithuania?

  USSR sent troops to suppress protests
• What was the outcome of the Soviet forces occupying the press headquarters?

  They killed 14 people
• How did Ukrainian miners respond to the government's actions in 1991?

  They organized protests
• What did Yeltsin ask Russian soldiers to do?

  Refuse orders to suppress protests
• What was Yeltsin's response to the coup attempt?

  He strengthened his authority against the coup
• What treaty did Gorbachev propose in 1990?

  A new treaty for a decentralized union
• What was the outcome of the referendum proposed by Gorbachev?

  76% of voters blocked a new union
• What was the 9+1 agreement designed to establish?

  A federation of independent states
• What happened on August 18 regarding the coup?

  Senior communists announced an emergency committee
• Who led the resistance to the coup?

  Yeltsin
• What was the outcome of the coup attempt?

  It collapsed without army support
• What did Yeltsin do after the coup collapsed?

  He attacked the communist party