The Soviet Union collapsed was observed at the end of the 1980s and it was considered to be a blow to the revolutionaries’ hopes. This event resulted in the formation of the new order in the world; it managed to change the lives of those people who lived there. The collapse brought complete changes not only to the social life but to the political system, economic and psychological development of many countries.
Causes of the Soviet Union collapse
Soviet Union’s demise resulted in the creation of 15 completely independent countries. One of the main causes for the collapse was economic; it can be explained by the fact that the Soviet Union had a weak economical position on the international level. Economical factors moved slowly into psychological and political. The poor situation of the Soviet market could not but influenced the moral and physical state of the population being depressed and aggressive.
Besides, the promotion of false information among the population made people live in the world of lies and secrecy. Information distortion led to negative political and economical effects. The significance of all these factors continued to increase with every passing year and it resulted in Soviet people’s alienation from the general atmosphere in the Russian Empire. Life norms provided at that period resulted in strikes, clashes, and an increase in the crime rates.
It brought wide confusion to the population of the former Soviet Union. The Empire was about to face rapid changes in all aspects of social, political, and economical life. The Soviet collapse changed the national view on the order of life and the Governmental policy. It made everyone see another side of living and working; this historical event influenced the life of many countries of the world and left a print in memories of those people who suffered these disastrous changes at that time. (Vale, 2007)
Effects of the Soviet Union Collapse
The effects of the Soviet Union collapse could be observed in every aspect of social life. The collapse of the empire resulted in the fact that the heads of every independent country tried to concentrate power only in their territory. Destroy of the Union showed the communism weakness and the increase of the principles aimed against human nature. Soviet Union collapse is considered to be one of the biggest events of the XX century which was regarded as an inevitable one.
The immediate consequences followed by the population of the former Soviet Union were the following:
- Social instability, homelessness, and joblessness;
- A complete change in the legal system of many countries;
- Shortages of basic commodities;
- The increase of the disasters spreading;
- The prohibition of long-term planning.
All these factors mentioned above were faced by the population living at the time of a collapse. It should be stressed that the general situation was considered to be really disastrous for ordinary people and nowadays they try not to think about those days of instability and poor conditions for existence. (Orlov, 2006)
The first effect of the Soviet Union collapse covered the social life of the population. People were in complete despair because of the conditions they had to live in. Lack of jobs decreased the opportunities of ordinary people. They could not find normal habitation for their families and it led to the social dislocation of the whole community. The collapse of the Union took away people’s hopes for normal life and national stability. Children could not get sufficient education and adults had no opportunities to support their families in a proper way.
Secondly, as a result of the Soviet Union collapse authorities were not considered to be in much respect by the society. The overwhelming of law enforcement resulted in its replacement by local private security and self-defense. Such a situation led to the atmosphere in which universal law was completely ignored by the population.
The third point concerned rapid changes in social life concerned sharp shortages of medical service, food, fuel, water, electricity, and gas.
“Electricity began to function only in 1995 when stations received fuel. “Light” was considered to be joyful news for the children” (Gurgenyan, 2006)
People had to suffer shortages of different consumer items, insufficient transportation systems. Countries of the former Soviet Union were covered by hyperinflation and mass layoffs. This situation took place together with violence, confusion, and despair.
The further point concerned the emergence of different disasters of big and small characters. The population faced rationing of basic maintenance and failure of infrastructure. Besides, it was impossible to make long-term planning. Some projects which had a large volume were not even taken into account. All existing successful adaptations were regarded only based on infrastructure and inventory existing at that time. People had no chance to expect the fulfillment of any innovative program of technological character.
The first year after the collapse we got a wood-burning stove. We burnt everything that would burn in it but wood — we couldn’t afford to buy it. (Malkhasyan, 2005)
Nevertheless, despite all the negative factors faced by the population after the Soviet Union collapse present situation differs a lot from that one suffered by people. The economy turned from the negative position into a positive one which is perfectly functioning in comparison with the situation in the XX century. Nowadays people cannot think about those days without sadness and despair. People have an opportunity to go freely abroad and enjoy all the convenience of life conditions.
All the problems connected with the shortages of food and services dissolved and the atmosphere can be only contrasted to that one experienced after the collapse of the Soviet Union. (Cowig, 2005)
The Soviet Union was considered to be one of the solid world countries, but its time was over with the collapse. The system of life values was changed and substituted by the new ones. This event was really inevitable for the country and for the people suffering it. The collapse of the great country influenced the situation in the whole world and made people suffer disastrous conditions trying to find proper work and place of living for themselves and their families. The politicians say that the Soviet Union was really ready for such flow of events because all the factors developing in the political and economical system were considered to be the background for this.
One cannot but agree that the Soviet Union collapse worsened the lives of people living at that period of time but improved the future situation. The policy of rehabilitation made a lot of people feel the inconvenience and instability in the whole world but this process changed the future of many states making them independent and stable. The economical situation resulted in international cooperation between the countries and led to prosperity and peace in the states of the former Soviet Union.
References
Vale, Barry. Why the Soviet Union Collapsed? Politics, News and Issues. 2007.
Gurgenyan, Minna. Life after USSR. In an email to Open Source. 2006.
Orlov, Dmitriy. Closing the Collapse Gap. 2006.
Cowig, David. Soviet Union Collapse: The life after the Tragedy. NY., 2005.
Malkhasyan, Narine. Life after USSR. In a conversation with Open Source. 2006.