6.4 The August Coup and the Collapse of the Soviet Union
3 min read•august 13, 2024
The August 1991 coup attempt marked the beginning of the end for the . Hardline Communist officials tried to seize power from Gorbachev, opposing his reforms and aiming to preserve centralized control. Their actions backfired spectacularly.
emerged as the hero of the resistance, rallying opposition and defying the coup plotters. The failed coup accelerated the collapse of Soviet power, leading to the rapid independence of republics and Gorbachev's resignation, officially ending the USSR by December 1991.
August 1991 Coup Attempt
Plotters and Their Motivations
Top images from around the web for Plotters and Their Motivations
Dissolution of the USSR | History of Western Civilization II View original
Is this image relevant?
LESSONS OF THE AUGUST PUTSCH | Centrum Informacji Anarchistycznej View original
Is this image relevant?
Mikhail Gorbachev - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Dissolution of the USSR | History of Western Civilization II View original
Is this image relevant?
LESSONS OF THE AUGUST PUTSCH | Centrum Informacji Anarchistycznej View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
Top images from around the web for Plotters and Their Motivations
Dissolution of the USSR | History of Western Civilization II View original
Is this image relevant?
LESSONS OF THE AUGUST PUTSCH | Centrum Informacji Anarchistycznej View original
Is this image relevant?
Mikhail Gorbachev - Wikipedia View original
Is this image relevant?
Dissolution of the USSR | History of Western Civilization II View original
Is this image relevant?
LESSONS OF THE AUGUST PUTSCH | Centrum Informacji Anarchistycznej View original
Is this image relevant?
1 of 3
- Group of hardline Communist Party members, military officials, and KGB officers attempted to seize power from Soviet President in a coup d'état
- Motivated by opposition to Gorbachev's reforms, particularly efforts to decentralize power and negotiate a new union treaty granting more autonomy to Soviet republics
- Aimed to reverse Gorbachev's reforms, crack down on dissent, and preserve the Soviet Union under a more centralized and authoritarian system
- Key figures included Vice President , Prime Minister , and Defense Minister
Actions Taken by the Coup Plotters
- Declared a state of emergency and announced Gorbachev was ill and unable to govern
- Placed Gorbachev, who was vacationing in Crimea, under house arrest and cut off his communication with the outside world
- Attempted to control media outlets and suppress opposition to their actions
- Deployed military forces in Moscow and other key cities to maintain order and intimidate potential resistance
Boris Yeltsin's Role in the Coup's Failure
Yeltsin's Leadership in Resisting the Coup
- Boris Yeltsin, then president of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR), emerged as the central figure in resisting the coup and rallying opposition
- Denounced the coup as unconstitutional and called on the public to resist the plotters
- Famously climbed atop a tank outside the Russian parliament building (White House) to deliver a defiant speech
- Yeltsin and supporters, including Russian government and military members, barricaded themselves inside the White House and prepared to defend it against a possible attack
Popular Resistance and Key Figures
- Thousands of civilians in Moscow and other cities responded to Yeltsin's call, protesting the coup, erecting barricades, and facing down tanks and troops loyal to the plotters
- Moscow Mayor Gavriil Popov and Leningrad Mayor Anatoly Sobchak played important roles in organizing resistance and maintaining order in their cities
- Widespread popular resistance and defections among military and security forces led the coup plotters to back down and surrender after just three days
Consequences of the Failed Coup
Weakening of Gorbachev and Acceleration of Reforms
- Gorbachev was restored to power but with severely weakened authority
- Forced to accept the dissolution of the Communist Party and acceleration of reforms
- Yeltsin and other republican leaders, emboldened by their success in resisting the coup, moved quickly to assert independence and dismantle the Soviet Union
Dissolution of the Soviet Union and Emergence of Independent Republics
- Most Soviet republics (Ukraine, Belarus, Baltic states) declared independence and began establishing themselves as sovereign nations
- On December 8, 1991, leaders of Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus signed the Belavezha Accords, formally dissolving the Soviet Union and establishing the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) as a loose confederation
- Gorbachev resigned as president on , marking the official end of the Soviet Union
- Newly independent states faced challenges in transitioning to market economies and democratic systems
Geopolitical and Economic Consequences
- Collapse of the Soviet Union ended the Cold War and restructured the global balance of power
- Significant economic challenges for former Soviet republics as they transitioned from centrally planned to market-based economies
- Social and political upheaval as populations adjusted to new realities and leaders sought to establish stability and legitimacy in their respective countries
Key Terms to Review (19)
August 19, 1991: August 19, 1991, marks the beginning of the August Coup, a failed attempt by hardline Communist leaders in the Soviet Union to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev and reverse his policies of reform. This event was a pivotal moment that showcased the deep divisions within the Soviet leadership and accelerated the decline of Soviet power, ultimately leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
August Coup: 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.
August Putsch: The August Putsch, also known as the August Coup, was a failed attempt by hardline Communist officials in the Soviet Union to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev's reformist government in August 1991. This pivotal moment marked a significant turning point in the struggle between traditional Soviet leadership and the forces advocating for reform, leading to increased public support for Gorbachev's reforms and ultimately accelerating the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Authoritarianism: Authoritarianism is a political system characterized by the concentration of power in a leader or an elite not constitutionally responsible to the public. It often involves limited political freedoms, suppression of dissent, and a lack of democratic processes. In the context of certain historical periods, authoritarian regimes utilize state control over various aspects of life, including media, civil society, and opposition movements, shaping the relationship between the government and its citizens.
Boris Yeltsin: Boris Yeltsin was the first President of the Russian Federation, serving from 1991 to 1999, and played a crucial role in the transition from Soviet rule to a more market-oriented economy. He is best known for his leadership during the August Coup of 1991, where he stood against hardline communists, symbolizing a significant shift towards democracy and reforms in Russia, which ultimately contributed to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Civil unrest: Civil unrest refers to the social disorder and protests arising from dissatisfaction among the populace, often leading to demonstrations, riots, and other forms of collective action against the government or authority. In the context of significant political change, civil unrest can be a crucial indicator of deep-rooted societal issues and can influence or accelerate shifts in governance, especially during periods of instability like the August Coup and the subsequent collapse of the Soviet Union.
December 25, 1991: December 25, 1991, marks the day when the Soviet Union officially dissolved, leading to the end of over 70 years of communist rule and the emergence of independent republics. This date is significant as it symbolizes the culmination of a series of events, including political reforms, economic turmoil, and national independence movements that challenged Soviet authority.
Democratization: Democratization refers to the transition from an authoritarian or non-democratic regime to a more democratic political system, often characterized by free and fair elections, civil liberties, and active citizen participation. This process can be gradual or rapid, influenced by various social, political, and economic factors. In the context of the Soviet Union, democratization emerged as a key element during the late 1980s under Gorbachev's leadership, as he sought to reform the system through policies that aimed to increase openness and political participation.
Dissolution of the USSR: The dissolution of the USSR refers to the process by which the Soviet Union formally ceased to exist on December 26, 1991, leading to the independence of its constituent republics. This marked a significant turning point in global politics, as it not only ended the Cold War but also resulted in a dramatic transformation of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet republics. The dissolution was influenced by a series of events, including political turmoil, economic struggles, and nationalist movements within the union.
Dmitry Yazov: Dmitry Yazov was a prominent Soviet military leader and politician who served as the last Minister of Defense of the Soviet Union from 1987 until its dissolution in 1991. He played a critical role during the August Coup in 1991, where he initially supported the coup leaders in their attempt to restore hardline communist rule, significantly impacting the political landscape of the Soviet Union during its final days.
Gennady Yanayev: Gennady Yanayev was a Soviet politician who served as the Vice President of the Soviet Union and played a central role in the August Coup of 1991, which aimed to overthrow Mikhail Gorbachev. His actions during the coup were pivotal in the events that ultimately led to the collapse of the Soviet Union, as he represented the hardline Communist faction seeking to maintain the traditional power structure against Gorbachev's reform policies.
Glasnost: Glasnost, meaning 'openness,' refers to the policy introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s aimed at increasing transparency and freedom of information within the Soviet Union. This policy encouraged public discussion and criticism of the government, which was pivotal in fostering political reform and challenging the status quo, ultimately leading to significant societal changes and the eventual collapse of the Soviet regime.
Market reform: Market reform refers to a set of economic policies aimed at transitioning an economy from a centrally planned system to a more market-oriented one, promoting private enterprise, competition, and deregulation. In the context of the August Coup and the collapse of the Soviet Union, market reform was seen as a necessary step to revitalize the struggling economy and shift away from the inefficiencies of state control.
Mikhail Gorbachev: Mikhail Gorbachev was the last General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and the first President of the Soviet Union, serving from 1985 until 1991. He is known for his policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which aimed to reform the stagnant Soviet economy and increase transparency in government, leading to significant changes in both domestic policy and international relations.
Perestroika: Perestroika, meaning 'restructuring' in Russian, refers to a series of political and economic reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev in the mid-1980s aimed at revitalizing the Soviet economy and society. These reforms sought to introduce elements of market economics, reduce central planning, and encourage greater transparency and openness in government operations, ultimately impacting various aspects of Soviet life and the broader geopolitical landscape.
Soviet Union: The Soviet Union was a socialist state that existed from 1922 to 1991, encompassing Russia and several other republics across Eastern Europe and Central Asia. It was characterized by a one-party political system led by the Communist Party and played a major role in shaping global politics, especially during the Cold War, as well as influencing the events leading to the revolutions in Eastern Europe and its eventual dissolution.
State Committee for the State of Emergency: The State Committee for the State of Emergency (GKChP) was a group formed by hardline members of the Soviet government and Communist Party in August 1991, aiming to seize control and reverse the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev. This group acted in response to rising nationalist movements and the perceived loss of power, leading to an attempted coup that ultimately failed and significantly contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Totalitarianism: Totalitarianism is a political system where the state holds absolute power and seeks to control every aspect of public and private life. This system often employs propaganda, censorship, and state violence to maintain authority and suppress dissent, creating an environment of fear and obedience among the populace.
Valentin Pavlov: Valentin Pavlov was a prominent Soviet politician and economist, known for his role during the August Coup of 1991. He served as the Minister of Finance and played a significant part in the economic reforms that were pivotal during the final days of the Soviet Union, connecting him directly to the events leading to its collapse.