Soviet Union

Definition

Officially known as Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), it was a federal socialist state that existed from 1922 until its dissolution in 1991. It was governed as a single-party state by Communist Party with Moscow as its capital.

Related terms

Joseph Stalin: Leader who ruled USSR during World War II until his death in 1953; known for his totalitarian rule, industrialization efforts, and collectivization of agriculture.

Cold War: A period of geopolitical tension between the Soviet Union with its satellite states (Eastern Bloc), and the United States with its allies (Western Bloc) after World War II.

Iron Curtain: A term popularized by Winston Churchill to describe the political boundary dividing Europe into two separate areas from the end of World War II until the end of Cold War in 1991.