The history of the Soviet Union from 1982 through 1991 spans the period from Leonid Brezhnev‘s death and funeral until the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
Soviet Union in the mid-late 1980s
Due to the years of Soviet military buildup at the expense of domestic development, and complex systemic problems in the command economy, Soviet output stagnated. Failed attempts at reform, a standstill economy, and the success of the proxies of the United States against the Soviet Union’s forces in the war in Afghanistan led to a general feeling of discontent, especially in the Baltic republics and Eastern Europe.
Greater political and social freedoms, instituted by the last Soviet leader and General Secretary, Mikhail Gorbachev, created an atmosphere of open criticism of the communist regime, and also perestroika. The dramatic drop of the price of oil in 1985 and 1986 profoundly influenced actions of the Soviet leadership.
Several republics began resisting central control, and increasing democratization led to a weakening of the central government. The Soviet Union finally collapsed in 1991 when Boris Yeltsin seized power in the aftermath of a failed coup that had attempted to topple reform-minded Gorbachev.
These amazing photos were taken by Simon Knott that show what the Soviet Union looked like in the mid-late 1980s.
Leningrad street scenes, December 1985
Leningrad. A Pepsi stand takes root beside a stand selling Communist badges and magazines, December 1985
Leningrad. Administrative buildings, Smolny, December 1985
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