The Collapse of Communism in the Soviet Union

By William E. Watson

Book Overview

Designed for student research, this one-stop resource contains a wealth of information, reference material, and analysis of the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union. Combining narrative description, analytical essays, lengthy biographical profiles, and the text of key primary documents, Watson examines the reasons for the decline and fall of the Soviet Union and its ruling Communist party in 1991. Five essays provide a historical overview of the rise and fall of the Soviet brand of communism; the evolution of Gorbachev's perestroika reform policies; the costly Soviet imperial legacy and the ten-year Afghan war; nationalism and the dissolution of Soviet unity; and post-Soviet Russia under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin. Ready-reference features include: a timeline of key events; biographical profiles of 15 leaders involved in the decline and fall of Soviet communism; the text of 22 documents including writings by Gorbachev, Yeltsin and other key figures; a glossary of terms; and an annotated bibliography of print and video materials. Photos and maps complement the text.

Five essays examine how costly internal and external imperial policies, a poorly functioning economy, and rising nationalism among subject populations contributed to the demise of the Soviet empire. Watson shows that Gorbachev's perestroika reforms, intended to reform the party and the nation, ironically hastened the end, and that the August 1991 coup attempt sealed the fate of Soviet communism. The documents illustrate the reform attempt by Gorbachev and his trail-blazing economic advisors; party opposition to his reforms; the August 1991 coup attempt; the subsequent collapse of the party and the Soviet Union; and the creation of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The biographies explain the careers of individuals involved in the decline and fall of Soviet communism, including the last four Soviet leaders, whose policies inadvertently led to the demise of the system; the principal opponents of the reform; the leaders of the August 1991 coup attempt; the first post-Soviet leader of Russia, Boris Yeltsin; and the first post-Soviet Communist party leader in Russia, Gennady Zyuganov. This comprehensive resource is ideal for student research.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 031330162X
• ISBN13: 9780313301629
• Release Date: May 1998
• Publisher: Greenwood
• Length: 198 Pages
• Weight: 1.15 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Excellent source book

I actually had Dr. Watson as a professor, and I have to say that the book made up for what he lacked as a lecturer. (Great guy - just slightly confusing. He has a lot going on in his head. Dedicated scholar.) It is an excellent resource for someone who is not very familiar with the time period. The primary sources in the appendix are extremely useful for research purposes, and the narrative is easy and engaging.

Must-read for those who wish to understand the fall of USSR

Dr. Watson is an impeccable gentleman who is also an excellent professor. Thus, it came as no surprise to me when I uncovered the depth and scope of his research on the collapse of Soviet communism. Dialectical materialism and Sovietology are clearly presented and I came away with a profound understanding as to why the great experiment of the twentieth century failed.