Why did the USSR and communism collapse in Eastern Europe?
Why did the USSR and communism collapse in Eastern Europe?
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Lesson details
Key learning points
- In this lesson, we will learn about how the USSR gradually collapsed. This will include studying the Soviet-Afghanistan War, as well as the last leader of the USSR, Mikhail Gorbachev, and the reforms that he brought in.
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This content is made available by Oak National Academy Limited and its partners and licensed under Oak’s terms & conditions (Collection 1), except where otherwise stated.
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5 Questions
Q1.
Between 1950 and 1990 the USA and the USSR both...
Destroyed all of their nuclear weapons.
Hugely decreased their stockpiles of nuclear weapons.
Kept around the same number of nuclear weapons.
Q2.
In which year did Stalin die?
1945
1955
1961
Q3.
Which event led to the USA joining the Second World War?
The annexation of Austria-Hungary.
The invasion of Poland.
The sinking of the Lusitania.
Q4.
Who was the US president when the Berlin wall was built?
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Harry Truman
Ronald Reagan
Q5.
The Cuban missile crisis ended without any direct attacks from either the USA or the USSR.
False
7 Questions
Q1.
Who was the final leader of the Soviet Union?
Joseph Stalin
Leonid Brezhnev
Q2.
The Soviet Union successfully defeated the mujahideen during the war in Afghanistan.
True
Q3.
In which year was the Berlin Wall brought down?
1988
1990
1991
Q4.
Which reforms did Mikhail Gorbachev bring in once he became leader of the Soviet Union? Select 5 answers.
Interfered in elections in Eastern Europe using the Red Army to ensure communist victories.
Refused to meet with western leaders.
Restricted freedom of information, including all foreign media.
Sent more troops to Afghanistan.
Q5.
What was Mikhail Gorbachev's role?
President of the United States of America.
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Q6.
What was Ronald Reagan's role?
General Secretary of the Soviet Union
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
Q7.
What was Margaret Thatcher's title?
General Secretary of the Soviet Union
President of the United States of America.