My questions about:

[American Kid]

Good evening.

So, I've done my share of reading about the start of the USSR (the 1905, 1917 revolutions and so on, so forth) and find it all very fascinating/interesting.

What I'd really like to know about, and am finding it frusteratingly difficult to find out about, is how the whole thing went "to shit". I'll outline specifically what I want to know more about:

1) I want to know about the economic reasons the whole system broke down


2) I want to know specifically what role Gorbechev had in the whole ordeal (why did he want these reforms; why did he just let it roll over and die? And if he didn't just "let it roll over and die"...then what the fuck did happen?)

3) I want to know more about Yelstin and his role in the whole matter

4) I've heard stories of old-time Communists attempting at the eleventh hour to hold on to power, even detaining Gorbochev for a short time; I'd like this explained

5) I want to know what the reaction was at the highest levels of the East German Government and where those guys are today

6) And finally I'm curious to know what offical role Putin had during this time (I understand he was a member of the KGB, but more details would be fantastic)

Any kind of a link to articles, or just a general history of the dissilution, would be greatly appreciated. Some kind of a timeline or something like that would be fantastic.

To be blunt, I would appreciate the most partisan-esque-ish-type replies possible. I consider myself a socialist, no doubt, but I prefer my news/info drained of propaganda, and/or ideas drowned out in idealogy. I guess what I'm saying is cold, hard facts, without editorialzing, is ideal.

Thank you very much, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

-ak

[Salvador Allende]

1) I want to know about the economic reasons the whole system broke down.

Khruschov and Malenkov raised quotas by as much as 40% in 1953 following Koba's death. This caused strikes and revolts across East Europe in the following few years. They then began to implement Capitalism with themselves and the "elite government" as the bourgeois or State-Capitalism. Thus, they completely forgot about the economic policies that had actually brought the USSR to the incredible (by that I mean the greatest and fastest economic leap in history) heights the economy had been in the late 1930's. Brezhnev spent an extreme amount of money on the military. Because Brezhnev now had China as an enemy, he was now funding East Europe, Mongolia and the military on many fronts in addition to continuing the Khruschovist policies. Finally Gorbachev came along and his policies caused the vaccum in the USSR that killed it.


2) I want to know specifically what role Gorbechev had in the whole ordeal (why did he want these reforms; why did he just let it roll over and die? And if he didn't just "let it roll over and die"...then what the fuck did happen?)

More or less, the USSR had begun introducing Capitalism as early as Koba's death in 1953. But, mainly it was state-capitalism. Gorbachev actually introduced full-fledged Capitalism in the Socialist system. By doing this and also destroying all of the oppressionist measures the Khruschovists had taken, he more or less caused a vaccum in the USSR and the entire thing caved in.

3) I want to know more about Yelstin and his role in the whole matter.

Yeltsin helped stop the coup against Gorbachev and bring about the end of the USSr because of that.

4) I've heard stories of old-time Communists attempting at the eleventh hour to hold on to power, even detaining Gorbochev for a short time; I'd like this explained

More or less hard-line Khruschovists pulled a coup and tried to throw Gorbachev out of office. Yeltsin led the final push that freed Gorbachev and ended the USSR, thus, Yeltsin emerged a hero.

5) I want to know what the reaction was at the highest levels of the East German Government and where those guys are today.

The East German government actually started reforming from their Khruschovist lines just before the DDR reunited with West Germany. Most former-East German government leaders have major roles in the current German government.

6) And finally I'm curious to know what offical role Putin had during this time (I understand he was a member of the KGB, but more details would be fantastic)

Yes, Putin was KGB and I believe actually spent time in West Germany. Thus, many have reached the conclusion he was in the KGB for spy-type roles.

[American Kid]

Thanks a lot, Allende. It's much appreciated.

-ak