Question

What change most likely contributed to the fall of the Soviet union in 1991

Answer 1

The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was primarily caused by economic problems, Gorbachev's reforms, and nationalism.

Step-by-step explanation:

The fall of the Soviet Union in 1991 was primarily caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Some of the key changes that contributed to its collapse were:

1. Economic problems: The Soviet economy was centrally planned, and it suffered from inefficiencies, corruption, and a lack of innovation. The government's inability to sustain its economic model led to widespread shortages and discontent among the population.
2. Gorbachev's reforms: Mikhail Gorbachev implemented policies like Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring) in an attempt to reform the Soviet system. However, these changes led to political instability and created opportunities for dissent and nationalist movements in various regions of the Soviet Union.
3. Nationalism: Nationalist movements gained momentum in the late 1980s, and many non-Russian republics within the Soviet Union demanded greater autonomy or even independence. This wave of nationalism, combined with ethnic tensions, weakened the Soviet Union's control over its vast territory.

These factors, among others, led to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, marking the end of the Cold War era.

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