Other
The "Evil Empire" Speech, 8 March 1983
The full text of President Ronald Reagan's "Evil Empire" speech delivered in Orlando, Florida, which stated U.S. policy vis-a-vis the Soviet Union during its last years.
Other
Aerostories: Gary Powers' Misadventure
An excellent resource for learning about the U-2 spy plane flown by Francis Gary Powers that was shot down over Russia in 1960. Contains a very detailed examination of the origins of spy plane missions plus fabulous details that bring...
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.
Mount Holyoke College
Mount Holyoke College: Links to Stalin
This site from the Mount Holyoke College provides a list of numerous links to sources covering a broad range of topics on Stalin.
Other
Parallel History Project: Nato and the Warsaw Pact
Provides documentation and further information about the development of NATO and the Warsaw Pact during the Cold War, their mutual threat perceptions and military plans, and their significance for our time.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Cold War Erupts
World War II ended in 1945 and the Cold War began immediately. Read about the mistrust Western Europe and the United States felt towards the Soviet Union and Joseph Stalin. Learn how the Soviets expanded their realm of influence and...
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Azerbaijan: History
Read about the history of Azerbaijan which has been influenced by its location on historic trade routes and its vast petroleum reserves. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Belarus: History
A brief but informative look at the history of Belarus. Find out what Revolutionary War hero was born there. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
New York Times
New York Times: Times Machine: End of the Soviet Union
Images of the New York Times from December 26, 1991 depicting the fall of the Soviet Union and Mikhail Gorbachev.
Nations Online Project
Nations Online: Georgia
Offers a travel guide and country profile of Georgia in Southwest Asia including background facts and numerous links to comprehensive information on the nation's culture, history, geography, economy, environment, population, news,...
Nations Online Project
Nations Online: Belarus
Excellent online resource that provides a country profile of the Eastern European nation of Belarus, background details, and numerous links to in- depth information on the nation's culture, history, geography, economy, environment,...
Read Works
Read Works: Eyewitness to History
[Free Registration/Login Required] This informational text passage shares facts about a man who fought for the Soviet Union during World War II. This passage is a stand-alone curricular piece that reinforces essential reading skills and...
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: Joseph Stalin Wrote a Memo
During W.W.II, Russia and Germany had an agreement not to attack each other. Germany did not honor that agreement. The Premier of Russia, Joseph Stalin, asked for help from the U.S. and Great Britain. Use this site to see how that was...
Other
Jewish News: Gorbachev, Shamir Mark Decade of Soviet Aliyah
This article provides insight into religious persecution in the former Soviet Union and Gorbachev's efforts to curb intolerance.
Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Other
On This Day: Ethnic Problems in the Soviet Union
A good article on how the ethnic problems in the Soviet Union developed, and the individual republics' demand for independence.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Mass Media and Censorship
This is a small collection of primary source documents discussing propaganda and media control in the Soviet Union. Most documents are from the 1970s and 80s, and they are varied in both type and source. In general, the documents discuss...
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.
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.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Fidel Castro 2nd Declaration
This site contains the text of a speech delivered by Castro on February 4, 1962 titled "The Second Declaration of Havana." In this speech you can see Castro's Marxist-Leninist ideology.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: "Industrialization of the Country, 1928"
Fordham University provides this site with information on Stalin's plan to industrialize and modernize the Soviet Union.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: On American Intervention in Korea, 1950
The Modern History Sourcebook offers a very interesting primary source that presents the Soviet position of the beginning of the Korean War. A great resource for comparing US/USSR claims about the origins of the Korean War.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Hungary 1956 Statement From Soviets
A brief response from the Soviet Union in reaction to the Hungarian Revolution. Describes their regret and their decision to pull their military from army units from Budapest. Also includes a message from Imre Nagy (Hungarian leader).
Made From Media
Made From History: Vasily Zaytsev the Enemy at the Gates
Read this straight-forward account of the Soviet sniper, Vasily Zatsev, who played a major role in World War II.