Boris Yeltsin, Gorbachev's main opponent from the Russian Republic, announced the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States. The republic saw Yeltsin as a hero, and he destroyed Gorbachev in his quest for personal power. ...

• Word Count: 366
• Approx Pages: 1
• Grade Level: High School

Gorbachev's plan to have more of a stable Soviet Union failed and so came in Boris Yeltsin who wanted a democratic Russia. Yeltsin and Gorbachev were never on the same page and always clashed for what was best for Russia. ... Yeltsin wanted change and the end of Soviet Union, as Russian Republic President made it possible. After being forced out, basically, Gorbachev resigned and left Yeltsin in command. On December 8, 1991 Yeltsin negotiated with Belarus and the Ukraine to terminate the USSR. ...

• Word Count: 851
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

Democracy prevailed in Russia in 1991 under Boris Yeltsin after the fall of Gorbachev and the Soviet Union. ... The same KGB officers of the Soviet came back into power when Yeltsin hired many of them for his new government. ...

• Word Count: 735
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: High School

THE COLLAPSE OF THE SOVIET UNION The main reason for the decline, and ultimate collapse, of the Soviet Union was the failure of the economic system. The need to improve economic performance led to wide-ranging changes in the economy and politics. The failure of the economic system was due to inherent weaknesses that were escalated by external factors. In particular the Cold War (1945-1989) led to enormous spending on the arms race and the space race. This hastened the demise of the Soviet Union. ...

• Word Count: 1987
• Approx Pages: 8
• Grade Level: High School