Reasons for the Collapse of the Soviet Union
The Soviet Union was a world power after its establishment in 1922 and became a superpower after World War 2 in 1945. After World War 2, the Soviet Union established a communist bloc that remained hostile to the US-led bloc. Both USA and USSR continuously clashed indirectly between 1945 and 1990. During this period, these superpowers avoided a full-fledged war but opposed each other in various conflicts through their proxies. The whole era is known for the ‘Cold War’ between the two superpowers. This situation ended in 1992 with the collapse of the USSR, after which the USA emerged as the sole superpower. The main reasons behind the collapse of the USSR are the following. Long-standing Cold War Against USA After World War 2 in 1945, the Soviet Union captured the whole of Eastern Europe and parts of Central Europe, while its influence spread to several areas of Asia, Africa, and South America. The USA and its allies formed Western Bloc to counter this situation. This global di...