August Coup

Definition

The August Coup refers to a failed attempt by hardline members of the Soviet government to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev in August 1991. This event marked a critical turning point in the history of the Soviet Union, as it highlighted the intense struggle between reformist and conservative forces, ultimately leading to the dissolution of the Soviet Union later that year.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The coup began on August 19, 1991, when hardliners placed Gorbachev under house arrest while he was on vacation in Crimea.
2. Members of the State Committee on the State of Emergency (GKChP) attempted to take control of Moscow and other key locations to restore the old regime.
3. The coup was met with significant resistance from the public, most notably led by Boris Yeltsin, who rallied citizens to defend democracy by standing on top of a tank outside the Russian White House.
4. The failure of the August Coup severely weakened Gorbachev's position and accelerated calls for independence among Soviet republics.
5. By August 21, 1991, just three days after it began, the coup collapsed due to lack of popular support and internal divisions among the conspirators.

Review Questions

• How did the August Coup reflect the tensions within the Soviet government regarding reform and conservatism?
  • The August Coup showcased a deep division within the Soviet government between reformists who supported Gorbachev's changes and conservatives who wanted to maintain traditional power structures. The hardliners believed that Gorbachev's policies were leading to chaos and sought to restore an authoritarian regime. Their attempt at a coup demonstrated how desperate they were to cling to power amid growing public dissatisfaction with their governance and fear of losing control over the rapidly changing political landscape.
• Assess the impact of Boris Yeltsin's actions during the August Coup on his political career and future role in Russia.
  • Boris Yeltsin's decisive actions during the August Coup significantly elevated his political standing, as he emerged as a key figure advocating for democracy and reform. By defiantly opposing the coup leaders from atop a tank outside the Russian White House, he inspired citizens and garnered widespread support. This moment solidified his reputation as a leader who championed democratic values, ultimately leading to his election as President of Russia in 1991 and positioning him as a central figure in post-Soviet Russia.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the August Coup on the structure and existence of the Soviet Union.
  • The failure of the August Coup had profound long-term consequences for both the Soviet Union and its republics. It accelerated the collapse of central authority as republics pushed for independence, further eroding Gorbachev's power. The events also led directly to the disbanding of the Communist Party's dominance in government and contributed to the establishment of new political entities, including the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Ultimately, this coup was one of several factors that culminated in the official dissolution of the Soviet Union on December 26, 1991, fundamentally changing geopolitical dynamics in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Related terms

Mikhail Gorbachev: The last leader of the Soviet Union, whose policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed to reform the economy and increase transparency in government.

Coup d'état: An illegal seizure of power from a government, typically executed by a small group, which was the strategy employed by the conspirators during the August Coup.

Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS): An organization formed after the dissolution of the Soviet Union that includes several former Soviet republics, aiming for cooperation on political and economic issues.