American History Section 5BC/Module 11: The Continuing Cold War and Issues at Home

12. What was the chain of events that began with the August Coup and led to the fall of the Soviet Union?



Answer :

Final answer:

The chain of events leading to the fall of the Soviet Union began with the August Coup in 1991, followed by declarations of independence, breakaway of Baltic States, Boris Yeltsin's influence, the Belavezha Accords, and the official dissolution of the Soviet Union in December 1991.


Explanation:

The Chain of Events Leading to the Fall of the Soviet Union:

The chain of events that began with the August Coup and led to the fall of the Soviet Union can be traced through various key moments:

  1. August Coup (1991): A group of high-ranking Soviet officials initiated a coup to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev, signaling internal turmoil.
  2. Declaration of Independence: Republics within the USSR started declaring independence, weakening the central authority.
  3. Baltic States Breakaway: Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared independence, further fracturing the Soviet Union.
  4. Boris Yeltsin's Role: Yeltsin's defiance during the coup and rise to power in Russia marginalized the Soviet government.
  5. Belavezha Accords: Leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed an agreement, effectively dissolving the Soviet Union.
  6. December 1991: The Soviet flag was lowered for the last time, marking the official end of the Soviet Union.

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