The Soviet Union faced many economic and political problems in the 1980s under Mikhail Gorbachev's leadership. Gorbachev introduced reforms like perestroika to restructure the Soviet economy and political system, reducing the Communist Party's power. However, tensions rose as ethnic groups demanded independence. By 1991, the Soviet Union dissolved as Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared its end and Gorbachev resigned.

1. Collapse of Soviet Union By: Hayley Robinson

2. Soviet Union Before Stalin in power

3. Soviet workers expected to produce goods with little in return

4. Enhanced reputation with testing of hydrogen bonds – 1953 & Sputnik I – 1957

5. People shortchanged – housing shortage was severe. The average Russian family lived in a one room apartment.

6. Stalin distrusted competitors, had little respect for communist party leaders

7. 1946 – government decreed all literary/scientific work had to conform to the political needs of the state

8. March 5, 1953 – Stalin dies