Key Leaders and Individuals
Who was the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until 1991?
Mikhail Gorbachev
What does glasnost mean?
Openness
What were some major weaknesses of the Soviet economy by the 1980s?
Low productivity, inefficiency, shortages, poor-quality goods, outdated technology, and over-centralisation.
How did censorship affect Soviet society before glasnost?
It restricted free speech, hid problems, and prevented open criticism of the government.
Which Murrumba teacher is getting a Cockerspaniel in Week 8
Miss Glasby
Who became the first President of the Russian Republic in 1991?
Boris Yeltsin
What term means restructuring?
Perestroika
What is meant by economic stagnation?
A period of little or no economic growth.
Why did political reform create instability in the Soviet Union?
It weakened Communist control and encouraged criticism, opposition, and demands for further change.
What breakfast condiment never spoils?
Honey
Which Soviet leader is often associated with the period of stagnation before Gorbachev?
Leonid Brezhnev
What was the purpose of glasnost under Gorbachev?
To allow greater openness, freer discussion, and more criticism of government problems.
Why was the Soviet command economy inefficient?
Because central planning often led to waste, poor incentives, inflexibility, and unrealistic production targets.
How did criticism of the government increase during the late 1980s?
Through the media, public debate, protests, and newly open discussion under glasnost.
Which animal has cubed shaped poo?
Wombats (Wombies - Miss Sprenger's favourite)
Who was the President of the US during much of the late Cold War and the final years of the USSR?
Ronald Reagan
What was the purpose of perestroika under Gorbachev?
To restructure and improve the Soviet economy and make it more efficient.
How did shortages affect everyday life in the Soviet Union?
People faced long queues and limited access to food, housing, and consumer goods.
What replaced the Soviet Union after its collapse?
A group of independent states, with many joining the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS).
Which gas makes up most of the Earth's atmosphere?
Nitrogen
Who were the hardliners that attempted to seize power in August 1991?
Senior Communist Party, military, and KGB hardliners
What does “decentralisation” mean in relation to Soviet economic reform?
Reducing central government control and giving more decision-making power to local managers or enterprises.
How did the arms race contribute to Soviet economic difficulties?
It forced the USSR to spend heavily on weapons and military technology, worsening economic strain.
Why did the failed coup speed up the collapse of the USSR?
It destroyed remaining confidence in central authority and encouraged republics to declare independence.
What is the hardest natural substance on Earth?
Diamonds (How Miss Sprenger justified her procrastination to her mother)