This site from ibiblio.org gives information about the historical relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States. After reading the summary on this page, click on the links at the bottom of the page to read about early...

This article details the occupation of Latvia by the Soviet Union following World War II and during the Cold War.

This article examines the Soviet Union's concerns about its sphere of influence during the Cold War and its desire to protect its interests.

In March 1953, Joseph Stalin, who had ruled the Soviet Union since 1928, died at the age of 73. His feared minister of internal affairs, Lavrenti Pavlovich Beria, was subsequently shot for treason. Nikita Khrushchev then became first...

A great overview of the economic policies implemented in the Soviet Union between 1917 and 1985. Describes collectivization, economic priorities, successes, and failures. Readers will come away with a sound understanding of Soviet...

This article surveys Soviet Union and its leader Nikita Khrushchev, who eventually wielded virtually supreme power after the death of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin in 1953.

Biographical account of Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev, reformer of the Soviet Union. Includes information regarding Gorbachev's ascension to power with the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and his role in reducing the Cold War...

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.

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.

This article discusses the Soviet Union's influence in Poland following World War II and during the Cold War.

The Congress of People's Deputies was a Russian representative body (legislature) created during the Gorbachev era. This is an excellent article describing how the body was formed, membership, and responsibilities.

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).

This article discusses the development of the Soviet Union's Communist buffer zone after World War II and its evolution into the Iron Curtain of the Cold War.

A detailed article on the life of Vladimir Lenin. Discusses his life before becoming the leader of the Soviet Union, his political accomplishments as a leader and his death.

Overview of the collapse of communism at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s ushered in by Mikhail Gorbachev and his reforms.

Copy of the INF Treaty made by the US and the USSR in December of 1987.

This site from the Library of Congress describes the factors involved with organizing the 1992 Georgian election. Examines some of the election laws and the challenge of including people from all regions in the election.

This site discusses the creation of the Eastern Bloc and the numerous defections that occurred before and during the construction of the Berlin Wall.

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.

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.

The people of Czechoslovakia reached a boiling point in 1989 with citizens clamoring for political economic, and social reforms. This article by the BBC portrays how demonstrations for such reforms ended with tragedy when the police...

This site discusses the authority and leadership of the German Communist Party during the Cold War.

One of the most remarkable foreign policies of the 20th century, Nixon pursued detente in hopes of easing tensions with the Communist world.

This overview of Soviet economic policy after WWII looks at the command or planned economies and decisions of Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev.