Curated OER
Why Communism Failed
In this Why Communism Failed worksheet, students read an account from a Russian citizen (primary source) then write short answer responses to five questions.
BBC
Bbc: News: Collapse of the Ussr 10 Years On
Extensive information about the collapse of the USSR. Includes an interactive timeline from 1985 through 1991, an interactive map of the countries of the USSR with country profiles and timelines, eyewitness accounts of the collapse of...
CNN
Cnn: Former Russian Leader Yeltsin Dead
Relays the story of the death of former Russian President Boris Yeltsin who at age 76 died from heart failure on 4/23/07. Discusses highlights of his years as President and links to many other articles relating to him.
BBC
Bbc: Three Days That Shook the World
In 1991, communist hardliners attempted to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev for his reforms leading to the break-up of the Soviet Union. The coup lasted for three days. Article dated August 15, 2001.
BBC
Bbc News: Boris Yeltsin Master of Surprise
This article is dated December 31, 1999, Yeltsin before Yeltsin surprised the world by resigning from the presidency. It talks about the problems that Russia Yeltsin under Yeltsin, and how unpredictable his behavior had become. There is...
BBC
Bbc News: Russian Ex President Yeltsin Dies
Information about the death of Russia's first President, Boris Yeltsin. Provides highlights of his political career including his banning of the Communist Party in the early 1990s. (4/23/07)
Hartford Web Publishing
World History Archives: Banditry Threatens the New Russia, Law
An article about threats to Russia's free-market economy and the breakdown of law enforcement.
Hartford Web Publishing
World History Archives: David Hoffman: The Russian Economy's Big Black Hole
An article about one of Russia's steel mills that has, like many other industries in Russia, fallen on hard times in the new free-market economy.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: End to the Cold War
This site discusses how US-Soviet relations took a dramatic turn for the better in 1990. Agreements and concessions made by both sides would eventually bring about the end to the Cold War.
BBC
Bbc News: Putin Takes Control in Russia
A more detailed article about the resignation of Boris Yeltsin and his turning over the reigns to successor Vladimir Putin.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The End of the Cold War
Read about the surprising and swift collapse of the Soviet Union and its satellite countries beginning with Poland in 1989. Watch a map which shows the change from a single country, USSR, into many independent countries, and find out...
Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
Biographical account of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, reformer of the Soviet Union. Includes information regarding Gorbachev's ascension to power with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and his role in reducing the Cold War...
CNN
Cnn: Yeltsin, Economy, Both Trying to Recover
This CNN article, "Yeltsin, Economy, Both Trying to Recover," discusses the forced changes in Russia, tax troubles, corruption, inflation, and more.
Digital History
Digital History: Collapse of Communism
Overview of the collapse of communism at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s ushered in by Mikhail Gorbachev and his reforms.
BBC
Bbc News: Russia Gripped by Power Struggle
A 1999 news article from the BBC documents the power struggle between Boris Yeltsin and the Russian parliament after Yeltsin dismissed Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov and the entire government, which in turn was motive for parliament to...
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: George H. W. Bush
The National Portrait Gallery presents a look at the several presidents and their actions in regard to the Cold War. Click on George Bush to see and hear his speech about the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Cold War ends.
Google Cultural Institute
Google Cultural Institute: Boris Yeltsin
This visual website from Google Cultural Institute shares background information and photos about Boris Yeltsin.
Curated OER
Npr Special Series: Nelson Mandela, 1918 2013
Photograph of South African President Nelso Mandela and Russian President Boris Yeltsin in 1999.