THE FALL OF THE SOVIET UNION

In December of 1991, as the world watched in amazement, the Soviet Union disintegrated into fifteen separate countries. Its collapse was hailed by the west as a victory for freedom, a triumph of democracy over totalitarianism, and evidence of the superiority of capitalism over socialism. The United States rejoiced as its formidable enemy was brought to its knees, thereby ending the Cold War which had hovered over these two superpowers since the end of World War II. Indeed, the breakup of the Soviet Union transformed the entire world political situation, leading to a complete reformulation of political, economic and military alliances all over the globe.What led to this monumental historical event? In fact, the answer is a very complex one, and can only be arrived at with an understanding of the peculiar composition and history of the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union was built on approximately the same territory as the Russian Empire which it succeeded. After the Bolshevik Revolution of 1917, the newly-formed government developed a philosophy of socialism with the eventual and gradual transition to Communism. The state which the Bolsheviks created was intended to overcome national differences, and rather to create one monolithic state based on a centralized economical and political system. This state, which was built on a Communist ideology, was eventually transformed into a totalitarian state, in which the Communist leadership had complete control over the country.

Answer: Why do you think the Soviet Union collapsed?

THE FRENCH REVOLUTION

The Fall of the Bastille meant much more than the simple voice of the people, it meant the voice of a nation. Talking about a nation previous to the French Revolution turns to be more complex than the simple facts that took place there. It talks about a nationalistic feeling that was growing and which Enlightenment helped to demonstrate.

The Fall of the Bastille itself shows the level of oppostion the people had towards everything that connected them to the Middle Ages. They were finally gone, and the world was facing a new era, an era of nationalism, new ideas, new points of view, some of the radicals, moderates or maybe still royalists, but in general, the context shows us that the structure was over and the world was claiming for a fairier situation in which no jails such as the monarchy or the social system will be accepted.

Answer:

1. Why do you think the French Revolution is such an important event for the world of the time and for the main changes that took place during that time?

2. Choose one of the three political positions taken: Radicals, Moderates, Royalists and support it.

3. Watch the videos considered in "links" and according to the videos explain the context that made the French Revolution happened.