Today in History
On December 21, 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved, marking the end of one of the world's largest empires. On this day, the leaders of 11 Soviet republics signed a treaty to form the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), signaling the breakup of the USSR. This historic move set the stage for the creation of 15 independent nations, each charting its own future.
The collapse of the Soviet Union was the result of years of political and economic struggles. By 1991, the USSR was dealing with severe internal problems, including a failing economy and growing demands for independence from various republics. In August 1991, hardline communist leaders attempted a coup against Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet president, but it failed. This event further weakened Gorbachev's control and sped up the push for independence, particularly from the Baltic states, which had already declared their independence earlier that year.
On December 21, 1991, the leaders of 11 republics met in Alma-Ata, Kazakhstan, to sign an agreement forming the CIS. The republics included Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine, and Georgia. Russia, under the leadership of Boris Yeltsin, played a key role in the process, becoming the dominant force in the new group. However, the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—did not participate in the CIS, as they had already established their independence.
This treaty effectively marked the official end of the Soviet Union. Just days later, on December 26, 1991, the Soviet Supreme Soviet formally voted to dissolve the USSR, leaving behind 15 independent countries. The dissolution of the Soviet Union changed the political landscape of the world, leading to the emergence of new nations and a shift in global power dynamics.
The events of December 21, 1991, remain a key moment in history. The collapse of the Soviet Union reshaped the world, and its effects are still felt today in the political, economic, and social landscapes of the countries that once made up the USSR.