AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Soviet Union: Congress of People's Deputies
The Congress of People's Deputies was a Russian representative body (legislature) created during the Gorbachev era. This is an excellent article describing how the body was formed, membership, and responsibilities.
Internet History Sourcebooks Project
Fordham University: Modern History Sourcebook: Hungary 1956 Statement From Soviets
A brief response from the Soviet Union in reaction to the Hungarian Revolution. Describes their regret and their decision to pull their military from army units from Budapest. Also includes a message from Imre Nagy (Hungarian leader).
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Leonid Brezhnev, 1906 1982
From "1989: The Walls Came Tumbling Down," a lecture by a college professor, this biography of Leonid Brezhnev's (1906-1982 CE) life focuses on his role as head of the Communist Party and head of state in the Soviet Union.
Hartford Web Publishing
World History Archives: Banditry Threatens the New Russia, Law
An article about threats to Russia's free-market economy and the breakdown of law enforcement.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Stalin's Speech on Anniversary of the October Revolution
Transcripts of Stalin's speech on Red Square celebrating the 24th anniversary of 1917 revolution. Within his speech, he speaks frequently of WWII and the battles with Germany.
Michigan State University
Michigan State University: United States History Since 1920: Truman Loyalty Oath, 1947
In March, 1947, President Truman issued an executive order requiring that all Federal employees take a loyalty oath swearing loyalty to the United States. This was a time of fear of Communists and the Soviet Union. Read the entire...
Steven Kreis, PhD
The History Guide: Khrushchev's Secret Speech, 1956
Excerpt of Nikita Khrushchev's "Secret Speech," delivered before a closed session of the Twentieth Party Congress in 1956. In this speech, Khrushchev admits the many crimes and atrocities of former Soviet leader Joseph Stalin.
Other
St. Martin: Iron Curtain 1945 1947
This article discusses the development of the Soviet Union's Communist buffer zone after World War II and its evolution into the Iron Curtain of the Cold War.
Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars
Woodrow Wilson Center: Digital Archive: Chinese Foreign Policy
Documents on China's foreign relations, focusing on its relationship with the Soviet Union and the United States.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Vladimir Lenin
A detailed article on the life of Vladimir Lenin. Discusses his life before becoming the leader of the Soviet Union, his political accomplishments as a leader and his death.
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Internal Workings of the Soviet System
This site briefly discusses the workings of the Soviet system and its leaders. Among those discussed are Stalin and his brutal use of police terror as well as Gorbachev and his perestroika plan.
Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Digital History
Digital History: Collapse of Communism
Overview of the collapse of communism at the end of the 1980s and early 1990s ushered in by Mikhail Gorbachev and his reforms.
Other
Hellenic Resources Network: Helsinki Final Act 1975
This primary document is a copy of the Helsinki Agreements of 1975 which recognized the borders in central and Eastern Europe that were set up since the end of WWII. They show the acceptance of the Soviet influence in Eastern Europe. and...
US Department of State
U.s. Dept. Of State: Archive: Inf Treaty of 1987
Copy of the INF Treaty made by the US and the USSR in December of 1987.
Library of Congress
Loc: Georgia Election of 1992
This site from the Library of Congress describes the factors involved with organizing the 1992 Georgian election. Examines some of the election laws and the challenge of including people from all regions in the election.
Other
Trussel: Crimes of the Stalin Era
This site from Trussel.com provides the text of the report to the 20th Congress of the Soviet Communist Party by Nikita Khrushchev February 25, 1956 condemning the "cult of personality" surrounding Stalin and condemning Stalin's policies...
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: Eastern Bloc Emigration and Defection
This site discusses the creation of the Eastern Bloc and the numerous defections that occurred before and during the construction of the Berlin Wall.
Other
Cvce: Demonstration Against the Dismantling of Industry
This image and short description illustrate the German peoples' reactions to the dismantling of their industries by the Soviet Union during the Cold War.
Hanover College
Hanover College: Ukrainian Famine
Archived by the Library of Congress and presented here by Hanover College, these are excerpts of historical records from the early decades of the Soviet Union, when Stalin forced collectivism and industrialization on the Russian people.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Estonia: The Soviet Era, 1940 85
This article examines the role of the Soviet Union in the governing of Estonia during World War II and the Cold War.
Central Intelligence Agency
Cia: World Factbook: Belarus
This site from the CIA World Factbook connects to "The World Factbook" page of the country Belarus, former Soviet state. Students must first click on "Country Listing" and then scroll down to Belarus.
PBS
Commanding Heights
This timeline of East Germany from 1945 to 1990 chronicles key events from communist domination to political and economic freedom with the end of the Cold War and the dismantling of the Berlin Wall.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: News Flash: The End of the Cold War
This lesson is an inquiry into events that occurred during the Cold War era. It is a technology-based project on one event that occurred during the Cold War(1945-1991). The Cold War describes the tense and hostile relationship between...