The Soviet Breakup

When on December 21, 1991, the Soviet Union ceased to exist and broke into a fragmented group of independent countries (Byrnes), the world breathed a sigh of relief. Another “horrible” communist country had finally seen the light and given way to the western beliefs of capitalism and democratic government. But was this really the best thing to happen to an already unstable country? Some say yes, because the socialist beliefs and oppression are finally gone. Others say …

…Online. 11/16/98 Online. Internet. Available: http://www.usnews.com/usnews/issue/981116/16weim.htm Lucas, Edward. “Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold.” The World In 1999. The Economist Newspaper Limited, 1998. pgs 60-61. Marcus, Jonathan. “Keeping Russia afloat.” BBC 17 August 1998. Online. Internet. Available: http://www.news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/special_report/1998/08/98/ russia_crisis/newsid_152000/152621.stm Powell, Bill. “Requiem for Reform.” Newsweek Dec 7, 1998: 38-41 “The World in Figures: Countries” The World In 1999. The Economist Newspaper Limited, 1998. pg. 74.