The Soviet Union, formally known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a federal socialist state in northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991, expanding from the Baltic and Black seas to the Pacific Ocean and, during its final years, comprised of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics (S.S.R.’s).

The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was influenced by a series of political, economic, and social factors. Under the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet government introduced reforms such as glasnost(openness) and perestroika(restructuring) during the mid-1980s. These reforms aimed to modernize the economy and improve transparency on the government’s end. However, they unintendedly eroded the main authority of the Communist Party and fueled calls for greater autonomy among the constituent republics.

Economically, the Soviet Union wrestled with severe stagnation. Since there was no innovation or efficiency, it led to a decline in quality of life due to scarcity that plagued the country. The economy was further strained by excessive military spending during the Cold War.

Socially, discontent grew among the Soviet populace. The alleviation of censorship through glasnost exposed government corruption and historical atrocities, ruining public confidence in the regime. Nationalist movements gained momentum in various republics, advocating for independence and contributing to the unraveling of Soviet unity.