Question

Identify four different reasons that answer the question and add them in the spaces provided.

Question: What were the biggest causes of the fall of the Soviet Union?

List your causes here. For each one, name it and briefly explain how it contributed to the fall.
1.
2.
3.
4.

Step 2:

Compare the causes and choose a winner. Explain each of your choices of winner in 2–3 complete sentences, summarizing specific information from the lesson.

First Round – Fill in the causes you wrote above Identify which cause won and explain why you thought it was a bigger cause of the fall of the Soviet Union.
Cause 1 vs Cause 4 →
Winner 1 and explanation:

Cause 2 vs Cause 3 →
Winner 2 and explanation:


Step 3:
Compare the winners of the first round to identify the cause you consider most significant.
Final Round – What cause wins between Winner 1 and Winner 2 above and why?
Overall winner and your explanation:

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

here are four different causes of the fall of the Soviet Union along with explanations for each:

Economic Strain: The Soviet economy was burdened by inefficiency, lack of innovation, and excessive military spending. This economic strain led to a stagnant and unsustainable system that could not provide for the needs of the population.

Political Repression: The Soviet regime's suppression of dissent, lack of political freedoms, and human rights abuses created widespread discontent among the population, eroding support for the government.

Nationalism and Ethnic Struggles: The various ethnic groups within the Soviet Union sought greater autonomy and independence, leading to ethnic tensions and conflicts that weakened the unity of the nation.

Arms Race and Military Overreach: The arms race with the United States drained Soviet resources and diverted them away from addressing domestic issues. The costly military endeavors strained the economy further.

First Round:

Cause 1 vs Cause 4 → Cause 1 (Economic Strain) as the winner.

Explanation: The economic strain encompassed multiple aspects of the Soviet system, impacting its sustainability and ability to meet the needs of its citizens.

Cause 2 vs Cause 3 → Cause 2 (Political Repression) as the winner.

Explanation: Political repression directly contributed to the erosion of public support and widespread discontent, leading to increased demands for change.

Final Round:

Winner 1 (Cause 1) vs Winner 2 (Cause 2) → Cause 1 (Economic Strain) as the overall winner.

Explanation: While political repression played a significant role, the economic strain's broad impact on the entire Soviet system, including its ability to function effectively, makes it the more significant cause of the fall of the Soviet Union.

Overall Winner: Economic Strain (Cause 1)

Explanation: The economic strain encompassed a range of issues that weakened the Soviet Union's foundation, impacting its stability, resources, and ability to govern effectively, ultimately leading to its collapse.