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Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared independence
Following demands for freedom throughout the Soviet Union, the Baltic states of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania declared independence. This brought up the potential for other states to declare their independence. -
German Reunification
The Democratic Republic and Federal Republics of Germany rejoined to once again become a unified Germany. This is important because it shows resolution between the two differing sides and shows compromise towards peace. -
Gorbachev proposed union treaty
Gorbachev disliked the independence declarations of the Baltic states. With the threat of more nations wanting their independence, he decided to draft a Union Treaty. The main points of his treaty included keeping Soviet republics under central control, but grant them more freedom and autonomy. -
Warsaw Pact Ends
After 36 years, the Warsaw Pact, which was a protection treaty between the Soviet Union, dissolves. The rise of non-communist governments in other nations and the diminishing power of the USSR caused the end of this agreement. -
Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty
A treaty between the United States of America and the Soviet Union Socialist Republics on the reduction and formation of limits on offensive arms is created. The START I includes many forms of making sure all sides are obeying the agreements of the treaty. While signed in July of 1991, it was not put into effect until December 1994. -
Formation of the C.I.S
Boris Yeltsin, president of the Russian Republic, formed the Commonwealth of Independent States (C.I.S.). This includes Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine. The purpose of the C.I.S was to get the Soviet republics on the same page on political, economic, and cultural issues. -
Gorbachev resigns
Mikhail Gorbachev resigns as president of the Soviet Union. This occurred following the formation of the Commonwealth of Independent States which effectively ended the USSR just days prior. Gorbachev had already lost much of his power over the Soviet Union due to its unstable economy and his people doubting his efforts towards reform. -
Soviet Union ends.
Soviet union officially ends. Russia formally recognizes the end of the Soviet Union. Ukraine, Byelorussia, and Russia declared independence. The Soviet Union broke up into 15 separate states and this was the end of the Cold War
