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2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000

The August Coup and the End of the USSR

  • 1 thing to know
  • Component 2

Overview

Recall questions on the plotters of the August coup of 1991, why it failed, Yeltsin's resistance, the effect on Gorbachev, the Communist Party and the Baltic states, the Belavezha Accords and Gorbachev's resignation.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

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Key term

What role did Yeltsin's leadership play in the coup's failure?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

  1. 1

    What was the August 1991 coup and who carried it out?

    Model answer

    An attempt by hardline Communists (the Gang of Eight) to remove Gorbachev and reverse reforms while he was on holiday in Crimea.

  2. 2

    Name four key figures among the August 1991 coup plotters.

    Model answer

    Vice President Yanayev, KGB chief Kryuchkov, Defence Minister Yazov, and Interior Minister Pugo.

  3. 3

    How did the plotters' indecision contribute to the coup's failure?

    Model answer

    The coup plotters were indecisive and failed to act swiftly or decisively to consolidate power.

  4. 4

    Why was the military's refusal to fire on civilians significant in the coup's failure?

    Model answer

    Military units refused to fire on civilians, depriving the plotters of the force needed to suppress opposition.

  5. 5

    How did popular resistance contribute to defeating the August coup?

    Model answer

    Citizens in Moscow rallied to resist the coup, creating mass opposition the plotters could not overcome.

  6. 6

    What role did Yeltsin's leadership play in the coup's failure?

    Model answer

    Yeltsin rallied opposition around himself, providing a focal point for resistance that undermined the plotters.

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Attempt a question from memory, write the correct version, then attempt it again. Levo records the jump between your first attempt and your last, and brings each question back on the day you are due to forget it.

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