The Fall of the Soviet Union
The lasting effects of the union's dissolution
The Soviet Union
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The Soviet Union also known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics(U.S.S.R.) was a collection of states that lasted from 1946-1991 with some states leaving the union prior to the collapse. Many of these states are still dealing with the fallout from their time in the Soviet Union to varying degrees of success. These states have been affected by their time in the U.S.S.R and it has shaped their status to this day.
The timeline of events leading to the collapse of the U.S.S.R
Former U.S.S.R. members
Ukraine
Belarus
Estonia
Latvia
Lithuania
Kazakhstan
Moldova
Georgia
Armenia
Azerbaijan
Uzbekistan
Turkmenistan
Kyrgystan
Tajikistan
Russia
The area noted as the Heartland Region
The Soviet Union once had control of eastern Europe, specifically, the Heartlands region made popular by scholar Halford Mackinder. Mackinder said that a nation controlling the region would be able to project power while staying defended from any other external factors. The Soviet Union used this principle to a great extent and effectively portrayed a large area of power that was under their control. They had control over a large portion of Europe and some portions of Asia at the height of their power.
The Soviet Union was not destined to last, many of its members did not have a choice in joining the Union and their people were forcibly moved around the country to fit the needs of the Union. It is one thing to be in control of the region, and another to be controlling it effectively with the support of the people. Most people living under the Union were ready for a change and by the time 1991 came around, the Union was fully dissolved. Many countries wanted independence for their country, and by doing so, gaining an independent culture as well as being able to determine their own cultural landscape.
Examples of the lasting effects from the Soviet Union
Ukraine
Human Geography Map
Almost all of the states formerly in the union have been majorly affected in the time period after the collapse. A state that is currently battling the impact of the Soviet Union is Ukraine. As part of the U.S.S.R., Ukraine contributed 25% of the total agriculture output for the Union while serving other important economic needs. When Ukraine gained its independence in 1991, Russia lost a valuable sector of its economy. Russia would eventually attempt to reclaim this region, with the annexation of Crimea in 2014 and the invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Regardless of Russia's stance on the war against Ukraine, their history of having Ukraine as a part of their state has influenced current conflicts. This shows the country's geographic path dependence as their history as a member has no doubt influenced Russia's actions in the past 8 years.
Map of Ukraine showing occupied territories as of May 5th 2022
This map shows the conflict as it stands currently, showing the Russians have fell back considerably compared to their intial attempt of invasion. It also shows that Russia is most effective closest to their border, as their previous attempts in the north have been pushed back to the point shown on the map.
Considering the current conflict in Ukraine, it is unclear what the lasting effects of this invasion will have on the country. It is currently looking favorable for the Ukrainians defending their country, but the impact on agriculture and other key economic sectors that have been a part of the country's culture has yet to be fully seen. As this conflict continues, the importance of this location and place for the Russian people and the Ukrainian people will be tested.
Georgia
Human Geography Map
Another former member of the U.S.S.R that has dealt with the fallout of the Soviet Union collapse is Georgia. Georgia was the first former member of the Soviet Union that was invaded by Russia. This was shortly after the second Chechen war, which saw Russia launch a counter-terrorism campaign directly in the region to the north of Georgia as well as part of Georgia. Russia launched an attack on the region in a war that lasted for five days and saw two regions from the state of Georgia fall into Russian control. Georgia's past as a member of the U.S.S.R. has influenced its current status today, to no fault of the people themselves.
Belarus
Human Geography Map
Another state that has dealt with the fallout of the Soviet Union is the country of Belarus. The state chose independence from the Union in 1991 and had elected their first and only president to date Alexander Lukashenko. Lukashenko has continued many Soviet policies such as state ownership of parts of the economy. Lukashenko eventually chose to sign a treaty with Russia promising cooperation in 2000 and have been working together since. Unlike other countries that had left the U.S.S.R. seeking independence from Russia and its policies, Lukashenko and Belarus took a different route and chose to remain friendly with their former rulers. The proximity of the two countries has played a role in determining relations as the two countries share a border with one another and have not seen conflict with each other as Ukraine has.
NATO and Russia
NATO has played a large role in determining relations after the fall of the Soviet Union, with a huge swath of members joining the pact after the collapse of the Union. As shown in the image above, there is effectively a solid wall of countries in between Russia and the rest of Europe, with most of the countries being former members of the Soviet Union. This geographic wall is a line between the West and Russia. Without question, this has played into Russia's current actions against Ukraine as it sees western expansion as problematic for the safety and wellbeing of Russia and its people. It is no surprise then that we see Belarus, a key ally of Russia not being a part of NATO as well as Ukraine being invaded as it has no pacts or treaties with other countries that could protect it.
While the cold war may never have heated up between the Soviet Union and the United States, the lasting impact of the conflict between two nations, two ideologies, and two cultures has persisted to this very day. The United States, inadvertently or not, has pushed for more western expansion of culture and ideology into Europe. Russia, much like it was during the Soviet Union, is still not pleased with this occuring and is taking steps to slow down or to stop western expansion next to Russian borders. The United States needs to be cautious in exerting its influence over Europe as tensions from the past are still present to this date.