Break-up of the Soviet Union

The break-up of the Soviet Union in 1991 marked the end of a major superpower that had been a key player in the Cold War. Rising nationalism, economic problems, and political reforms initiated by Mikhail Gorbachev weakened central control. As various Soviet republics sought independence, the union fractured. Tensions escalated, culminating in the declaration of independence by countries like Ukraine and the Baltic states. Ultimately, the Soviet Union dissolved on December 26, 1991, leading to the emergence of 15 independent nations and significantly altering global politics, ending the Cold War era and shifting power dynamics worldwide.