The Berlin Wall Comes Down: November 9, 1991
Beginning in 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev worked to democratize the Soviet Union, increase Soviet productivity, and end its control over eastern Europe. Most revolutionary, the Communist party lost control of the state in July of 1990, followed by the dismantling of the entire Soviet state. Gorbachev's realism was the spark that set off a series of largely peaceful revolutions (with the exception of Romania) by the peoples of eastern Europe to cast out their communist leaders, hold free elections, and start on the road to a free market economy. Toward the mid-1990's, the Russians found that life under democracy was not turning out to be much better than life under communism. In some cases, it was worst. Hospitals and health clinics were in terrible shape, and the economy got even worst. Many Russians became unemployed. The Communist party grew once again. Many Russian towns raised the famous hammer and sickle that they once hated years ago. Other nations grew scared of another communist era. Gennady Zyuganov, the head of the Communist party in Russia was the leading candidate in the 1995 elections. Boris Yeltsin wanted another term. Zyuganov imposed the Cold War and strict laws. But by slim margins, Yeltsin won another term. In late 1996, Yeltsin had to have major heart surgery. It was successful, but people wondered who will be next. In 1996, fierce fighting broke out in the Muslim Chechnya region of Russia. Russia is refusing to allow Chechnya to succeed. The Russian army proves to be nothing like it was under the Soviet Union. Fierce violence in Chechnya sporadically continues although Russia won the war. During the late 1990's, economists were predicting the Russian economy would somewhat improve because of the abundance of oil reserves. Some economists went as far to say that the economy would experience significant growth. However, by 1998, Russia's economy was on the verge of collapse. All around the country, corruption, violence, drugs, and cronyism became problems.
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