PBS
Pbs: Red Flag
Read two eyewitness accounts of life under Stalin. They explain how Communism became "an all-consuming, all-explaining ideology that appealed to their deepest hopes and dreams."
Wyzant
Wyzant: Nikita Khrushchev
Brief overview of Nikita Khrushchev's life and political career. With link to Krushchev's comments on JFK.
New York Times
New York Times: Times Machine: End of the Soviet Union
Images of the New York Times from December 26, 1991 depicting the fall of the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Dallas Symphony Orchestra Kids: Dimitri Shostakovich
Dimitri Shostakovich's (1906-1975 CE) first job was playing piano at a movie house when he was still quite young. He lost the job because he would laugh so hard at the funny parts of the movie that he would quit playing. Read more about...
Other
Russian Fighting Russian
Thousands of Russians volunteered their services to the Germans in their war against the Soviet Union. This article discusses the various volunteer units organized.
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.
A&E Television
History.com: Joseph Stalin
The History Channel provides a biographical look at the Russian dictator Joseph Stalin, beginning with his early career, rise to power, time as a Soviet leader, and the partial dismantling of his police state in the years after his death.
George Mason University
Problems With Markets: Week 12: Problems With Regulation
This resource outlines different economic and political options, and focuses on the problems associated with government ownership and socialism. Good background for a paper.
Digital History
Digital History: Detente
One of the most remarkable foreign policies of the 20th century, Nixon pursued detente in hopes of easing tensions with the Communist world.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Internal Workings of the Soviet System
This site briefly discusses the workings of the Soviet system and its leaders. Among those discussed are Stalin and his brutal use of police terror as well as Gorbachev and his perestroika plan.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Soviet Union: Science and Ideology
A brief article on science in the Soviet Union. Describes the role of the state in guiding science. Succinct but informative.
PBS
Pbs: Int. With Nina Mihailovna Motova, Factory Worker
You've learned about the fall of the USSR in history books, but what did it mean to a common citizen? Read the interview with Motova, a ballbearing factory worker in Russia, for insight on her thoughts.
Other
Temperament in Revolution Gorbachev
An excellent article about Gorbachev's appointment, goals, accomplishments, and personality.
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Collapse of the Soviet Union
Kids learn about the history of the Collapse of the Soviet Union which put an end to the Cold War.
Mocomi & Anibrain Digital Technologies
Mocomi: The Battle of Stalingrad
Learn about the Battle of Stalingrad and its place in world history.