PPT: End of Bipolarity | Political Science Class 12 - Humanities/Arts PDF Download

 Page 1


The End of 
Bipolarity
Page 2


The End of 
Bipolarity
The Fall of the Cold War System
1
Berlin Wall Falls (1989)
The Berlin Wall, the greatest symbol of the Cold 
War, was toppled by the people in 1989, initiating 
a dramatic chain of events that led to the 
collapse of the 'second world'.
2
East European Revolutions
One after another, the eight East European 
countries in the Soviet bloc replaced their 
communist governments in response to mass 
demonstrations, with the Soviet Union standing 
by.
3
German Unification
Germany, divided after World War II, was unified 
as the Cold War ended not through military 
means but through mass actions by ordinary 
citizens demanding change.
4
Soviet Disintegration
Eventually, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated, 
forever changing the global political landscape 
that had defined international relations for 
decades.
Page 3


The End of 
Bipolarity
The Fall of the Cold War System
1
Berlin Wall Falls (1989)
The Berlin Wall, the greatest symbol of the Cold 
War, was toppled by the people in 1989, initiating 
a dramatic chain of events that led to the 
collapse of the 'second world'.
2
East European Revolutions
One after another, the eight East European 
countries in the Soviet bloc replaced their 
communist governments in response to mass 
demonstrations, with the Soviet Union standing 
by.
3
German Unification
Germany, divided after World War II, was unified 
as the Cold War ended not through military 
means but through mass actions by ordinary 
citizens demanding change.
4
Soviet Disintegration
Eventually, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated, 
forever changing the global political landscape 
that had defined international relations for 
decades.
The Soviet System
Socialist Foundation
The USSR emerged after the 1917 
Russian Revolution, inspired by 
socialist ideals and the pursuit of an 
egalitarian society. It represented 
history's largest attempt to abolish 
private property and design a 
society based on equality principles, 
giving primacy to the state and 
Communist Party.
Economic Structure
The Soviet economy was state-
planned and controlled, with state 
ownership of land and productive 
assets. Despite developing complex 
infrastructure and ensuring minimum 
living standards through subsidized 
healthcare, education and welfare, 
the quality of consumer goods 
lagged behind Western countries.
System Flaws
The system became bureaucratic 
and authoritarian. The one-party 
Communist system maintained tight 
control over all institutions while 
remaining unaccountable to the 
people. Freedom of speech was 
stifled, and non-Russian republics 
felt neglected under Russian 
domination.
Page 4


The End of 
Bipolarity
The Fall of the Cold War System
1
Berlin Wall Falls (1989)
The Berlin Wall, the greatest symbol of the Cold 
War, was toppled by the people in 1989, initiating 
a dramatic chain of events that led to the 
collapse of the 'second world'.
2
East European Revolutions
One after another, the eight East European 
countries in the Soviet bloc replaced their 
communist governments in response to mass 
demonstrations, with the Soviet Union standing 
by.
3
German Unification
Germany, divided after World War II, was unified 
as the Cold War ended not through military 
means but through mass actions by ordinary 
citizens demanding change.
4
Soviet Disintegration
Eventually, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated, 
forever changing the global political landscape 
that had defined international relations for 
decades.
The Soviet System
Socialist Foundation
The USSR emerged after the 1917 
Russian Revolution, inspired by 
socialist ideals and the pursuit of an 
egalitarian society. It represented 
history's largest attempt to abolish 
private property and design a 
society based on equality principles, 
giving primacy to the state and 
Communist Party.
Economic Structure
The Soviet economy was state-
planned and controlled, with state 
ownership of land and productive 
assets. Despite developing complex 
infrastructure and ensuring minimum 
living standards through subsidized 
healthcare, education and welfare, 
the quality of consumer goods 
lagged behind Western countries.
System Flaws
The system became bureaucratic 
and authoritarian. The one-party 
Communist system maintained tight 
control over all institutions while 
remaining unaccountable to the 
people. Freedom of speech was 
stifled, and non-Russian republics 
felt neglected under Russian 
domination.
Gorbachev and the Disintegration
1
Reform Initiatives (1985)
Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary in 1985 and sought to reform the stagnating Soviet system. His economic and political 
reforms aimed to keep the USSR competitive with Western technological advancements and democratize Soviet society.
2
Unintended Consequences
Gorbachev's decision to normalize relations with the West and reform the Soviet Union had effects that neither he nor anyone anticipated. 
People in East European countries began protesting against Soviet control, and unlike before, the USSR did not intervene.
3
Internal Power Shifts
A coup attempt in 1991 was defeated when Boris Yeltsin emerged as a national hero opposing it. Power began shifting from the Soviet 
center to individual republics, especially in the European regions that saw themselves as sovereign states.
4
Final Dissolution (December 1991)
In December 1991, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared the Soviet Union disbanded. The Communist Party was banned, and capitalism and 
democracy were adopted. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed, with Russia as the successor state.
Page 5


The End of 
Bipolarity
The Fall of the Cold War System
1
Berlin Wall Falls (1989)
The Berlin Wall, the greatest symbol of the Cold 
War, was toppled by the people in 1989, initiating 
a dramatic chain of events that led to the 
collapse of the 'second world'.
2
East European Revolutions
One after another, the eight East European 
countries in the Soviet bloc replaced their 
communist governments in response to mass 
demonstrations, with the Soviet Union standing 
by.
3
German Unification
Germany, divided after World War II, was unified 
as the Cold War ended not through military 
means but through mass actions by ordinary 
citizens demanding change.
4
Soviet Disintegration
Eventually, the Soviet Union itself disintegrated, 
forever changing the global political landscape 
that had defined international relations for 
decades.
The Soviet System
Socialist Foundation
The USSR emerged after the 1917 
Russian Revolution, inspired by 
socialist ideals and the pursuit of an 
egalitarian society. It represented 
history's largest attempt to abolish 
private property and design a 
society based on equality principles, 
giving primacy to the state and 
Communist Party.
Economic Structure
The Soviet economy was state-
planned and controlled, with state 
ownership of land and productive 
assets. Despite developing complex 
infrastructure and ensuring minimum 
living standards through subsidized 
healthcare, education and welfare, 
the quality of consumer goods 
lagged behind Western countries.
System Flaws
The system became bureaucratic 
and authoritarian. The one-party 
Communist system maintained tight 
control over all institutions while 
remaining unaccountable to the 
people. Freedom of speech was 
stifled, and non-Russian republics 
felt neglected under Russian 
domination.
Gorbachev and the Disintegration
1
Reform Initiatives (1985)
Mikhail Gorbachev became General Secretary in 1985 and sought to reform the stagnating Soviet system. His economic and political 
reforms aimed to keep the USSR competitive with Western technological advancements and democratize Soviet society.
2
Unintended Consequences
Gorbachev's decision to normalize relations with the West and reform the Soviet Union had effects that neither he nor anyone anticipated. 
People in East European countries began protesting against Soviet control, and unlike before, the USSR did not intervene.
3
Internal Power Shifts
A coup attempt in 1991 was defeated when Boris Yeltsin emerged as a national hero opposing it. Power began shifting from the Soviet 
center to individual republics, especially in the European regions that saw themselves as sovereign states.
4
Final Dissolution (December 1991)
In December 1991, Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus declared the Soviet Union disbanded. The Communist Party was banned, and capitalism and 
democracy were adopted. The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) was formed, with Russia as the successor state.
Why Did the Soviet Union Disintegrate?
1
2
3
4
While the Soviet Union faced many internal challenges, the reforms meant to save it ultimately accelerated its collapse. 
Citizens who had been told their system was superior to Western capitalism were shocked by the reality of their 
economic backwardness when exposed to Western standards of living.
Economic Stagnation
The Soviet economy used extensive 
resources on nuclear and military 
arsenals and supporting satellite 
states, creating an unsustainable 
economic burden.
Political Rigidity
The Communist Party's 70-year 
unaccountable rule led to 
administrative stagnation, 
corruption, and centralization that 
alienated citizens.
Reform Backlash
Gorbachev's reforms created forces 
impossible to control, with some 
wanting faster change while others 
resisted any change.
Nationalist Awakening
The rise of nationalism in various 
republics proved the final cause for 
disintegration, especially in Russia, 
Baltic states, Ukraine, and Georgia.