Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Russia the Economy Historical Background
This economic history of the Soviet Union examines the eras of Lenin and Stalin and postwar policy under Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and the reform period of Gorbachev.
Other
Facts About Germany: The Cold War
German authors provide an article about the Soviet Union's influence in Germany during the Cold War.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: East Germany: The Soviet Military Administration
This site describes how The Soviet Military Administration in Germany ran Eastern Germany after WWII. Describes disarmament, the Communist Party, and anti-Nazism. Site is brief but informative.
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...
Other
Hellenic Resources Network: Helsinki Final Act 1975
This primary document is a copy of the Helsinki Agreements of 1975 which recognized the borders in central and Eastern Europe that were set up since the end of WWII. They show the acceptance of the Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. and...
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: World Factbook: Belarus
This site from the CIA World Factbook connects to "The World Factbook" page of the country Belarus, former Soviet state. Students must first click on "Country Listing" and then scroll down to Belarus.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: 1989 the Walls Came Tumbling Down
Explains and details the events that led up to and followed the downfall of Communism in Eastern Europe. Very thorough and detailed, including information about leaders, movements, and historical information.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Finland: Cold War and the Treaty of 1948
This article details the state of affairs in Finland during the Cold War.
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.
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Leonid Brezhnev, 1906 1982
From "1989: The Walls Came Tumbling Down," a lecture by a college professor, this biography of Leonid Brezhnev's (1906-1982 CE) life focuses on his role as head of the Communist Party and head of state in the Soviet Union.
Hanover College
Hanover College: Ukrainian Famine
Archived by the Library of Congress and presented here by Hanover College, these are excerpts of historical records from the early decades of the Soviet Union, when Stalin forced collectivism and industrialization on the Russian people.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Leadership of East Germany
This site discusses the authority and leadership of the German Communist Party during the Cold War.
Ducksters
Ducksters: Biography: Joseph Stalin for Kids
A website containing the biography of Joseph Stalin who was the leader of the communist Soviet Union during World War II and beyond.
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.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: The Polish People's Republic
This article discusses the Soviet Union's influence in Poland following World War II and during the Cold War.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: United States History Since 1920: Truman Loyalty Oath, 1947
In March, 1947, President Truman issued an executive order requiring that all Federal employees take a loyalty oath swearing loyalty to the United States. This was a time of fear of Communists and the Soviet Union. Read the entire...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Khrushchev's Secret Speech, 1956
Excerpt of Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech," delivered before a closed session of the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956. In this speech, Khrushchev admits the many crimes and atrocities of former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
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."
Scholastic
Scholastic News: Cold War
This site takes a look at the events and causes that led up to the Cold War as well as one of the key events of the war: the Soviets gaining nuclear power in 1949. The article also details that events that followed the Soviets' discovery...
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Russia: Postwar Growth Period
This overview of Soviet economic policy after WWII looks at the command or planned economies and decisions of Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: Richard M. Nixon
The National Portrait Gallery explores the actions of presidents in regard to the Cold War. Read about the so-called anti-Communist warrior, Richard M. Nixon, and his opening of relations with Communist China. Watch Nixon's speech about...
Council of Foreign Relations
Foreign Affairs: The Cold War Reopened
In his article entitled "Inside Enemy Archives: The Cold War Reopened," Melvyn Leffler discusses the ramifications of archival documents from the Russians on the Cold War era. Can Soviet actions during that time be viewed in a different...
PBS
Commanding Heights
This timeline of East Germany from 1945 to 1990 chronicles key events from communist domination to political and economic freedom with the end of the Cold War and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.