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Questions and Answers
What was one significant consequence of potential secession by Islamic republics from the USSR?
What was one significant consequence of potential secession by Islamic republics from the USSR?
Who replaced the executed Afghan ruler Amin after the Soviet invasion?
Who replaced the executed Afghan ruler Amin after the Soviet invasion?
Which event was a direct response by the USA to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
Which event was a direct response by the USA to the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan?
What type of military support did the USA provide to the Mujahideen fighters?
What type of military support did the USA provide to the Mujahideen fighters?
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At its peak, how many Soviet soldiers were present in Afghanistan?
At its peak, how many Soviet soldiers were present in Afghanistan?
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What was a consequence of the prolonged war in Afghanistan for the Soviet economy?
What was a consequence of the prolonged war in Afghanistan for the Soviet economy?
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How many Soviet citizens served in Afghanistan throughout the war?
How many Soviet citizens served in Afghanistan throughout the war?
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What was the primary aim of Gorbachev's glasnost policy?
What was the primary aim of Gorbachev's glasnost policy?
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What sentiment did the war in Afghanistan create among the Soviet populace during the 1980s?
What sentiment did the war in Afghanistan create among the Soviet populace during the 1980s?
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What was an unintended consequence of the glasnost policy?
What was an unintended consequence of the glasnost policy?
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What reform aimed to increase democratic participation within the political process under Gorbachev?
What reform aimed to increase democratic participation within the political process under Gorbachev?
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Which article of the Soviet Constitution established the Communist Party as the sole political party?
Which article of the Soviet Constitution established the Communist Party as the sole political party?
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What event reflected Gorbachev's declining control over the public?
What event reflected Gorbachev's declining control over the public?
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How did glasnost affect the media's role in Soviet society?
How did glasnost affect the media's role in Soviet society?
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What was a significant demand made by the public during Gorbachev's leadership?
What was a significant demand made by the public during Gorbachev's leadership?
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What change did Gorbachev implement to maintain dominance during elections?
What change did Gorbachev implement to maintain dominance during elections?
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What was a significant factor that led to the failure of Jaruzelski's economic reforms in 1989?
What was a significant factor that led to the failure of Jaruzelski's economic reforms in 1989?
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What significant change resulted from the Round Table Talks in 1989?
What significant change resulted from the Round Table Talks in 1989?
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What percentage of seats in the Sejm were contested in open elections following the Round Table Talks?
What percentage of seats in the Sejm were contested in open elections following the Round Table Talks?
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Which event signified the first partially free parliamentary elections in Poland since World War II?
Which event signified the first partially free parliamentary elections in Poland since World War II?
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What was one of the main outcomes of the Round Table Talks?
What was one of the main outcomes of the Round Table Talks?
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What challenge did the Polish Communist Party face during the political negotiations in 1989?
What challenge did the Polish Communist Party face during the political negotiations in 1989?
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What was the primary reason that Solidarity won most parliamentary seats in the 1989 elections?
What was the primary reason that Solidarity won most parliamentary seats in the 1989 elections?
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Who was the leader of Solidarity who was released from prison before the 1989 elections?
Who was the leader of Solidarity who was released from prison before the 1989 elections?
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What significant agreements were reached between Gorbachev and Reagan?
What significant agreements were reached between Gorbachev and Reagan?
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Which event marked the end of the Cold War according to Gorbachev and Bush?
Which event marked the end of the Cold War according to Gorbachev and Bush?
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What was the impact on Russia's GDP following the collapse of the USSR?
What was the impact on Russia's GDP following the collapse of the USSR?
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What major economic problems did Russia face after the USSR's collapse?
What major economic problems did Russia face after the USSR's collapse?
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How much did Poland's GDP lose between 1988 and 1992?
How much did Poland's GDP lose between 1988 and 1992?
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Which outcome contributed to worsening economic conditions in Russia post-1991?
Which outcome contributed to worsening economic conditions in Russia post-1991?
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Which country experienced a significant GDP shrinkage of at least thirty percent after the USSR collapse?
Which country experienced a significant GDP shrinkage of at least thirty percent after the USSR collapse?
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Who was the President of Russia until 1999 during the economic transition post-USSR?
Who was the President of Russia until 1999 during the economic transition post-USSR?
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What policy has South Africa adopted regarding global issues after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
What policy has South Africa adopted regarding global issues after the collapse of the Soviet Union?
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What is a 'developmental state' as described in the context?
What is a 'developmental state' as described in the context?
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Which social service received nearly 50% of South Africa's budget even after adopting GEAR in 1996?
Which social service received nearly 50% of South Africa's budget even after adopting GEAR in 1996?
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By 2012, how many people in South Africa were dependent on social grants?
By 2012, how many people in South Africa were dependent on social grants?
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What challenge did the South African government face due to rising unemployment?
What challenge did the South African government face due to rising unemployment?
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Which of the following statements about the social welfare in South Africa after Apartheid is true?
Which of the following statements about the social welfare in South Africa after Apartheid is true?
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What was one proposed solution to achieve real social upliftment in South Africa in the early 2000s?
What was one proposed solution to achieve real social upliftment in South Africa in the early 2000s?
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What was a common concern regarding the nationalization of resources in South Africa?
What was a common concern regarding the nationalization of resources in South Africa?
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Study Notes
The Soviet Invasion of Afghanistan
- The Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support a pro-Soviet leader after a pro-Islamic resistance movement grew.
- The USA condemned the invasion, cut off grain sales to the USSR, and boycotted the Moscow Olympics.
- The USA also funded the Mujahideen (Afghan resistance fighters) secretly with one billion dollars a year, and provided military supplies.
- The Soviet Union faced heavy losses in Afghanistan, which included both casualties and economic resources.
- The Afghanistan war is often described as the “USSR's Vietnam.”
Gorbachev’s Reforms
- Glasnost: Gorbachev’s policy of openness created greater transparency in the media, encouraged political discussions, and allowed for criticism of the government.
- Perestroika: Gorbachev's program promoted restructuring of the Soviet economy, with the aim of economic reform and modernization.
- Demokratizatsiya: Gorbachev’s plan to increase democratic participation in the political process.
Collapse of the Soviet Union
- The USSR collapsed in 1991, with the largest republic, Russia, losing 17% of GDP in 1990-1991 and 11% in 1992-1993.
- Boris Yeltsin, Russian President, launched reforms to address the economic issues but major problems persisted, including industrial production decline, unemployment, high inflation, and corruption.
Post-Apartheid South Africa
- After apartheid ended, South Africa adopted a "developmental state" model.
- This model focused on directing the economy to address social inequalities and poverty through social services, such as health care, housing, education, and social welfare.
- Despite the success of social programs, millions still lacked basic services and inequality persisted.
- The government faced challenges in providing adequate funding for social programs, particularly in the face of high unemployment.
- Some proposed nationalizing resources, such as mines, to achieve economic transformation, while others argued this would scare off investors.
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Description
This quiz covers two significant events in Soviet history: the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan in 1979 and Gorbachev's major reforms in the 1980s. Explore how these events shaped the dynamics of the Soviet Union and its relationship with the West, particularly the USA. Test your knowledge on the implications of these historical occurrences.
