The rise of the U.S.S.R.

The USSR or the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics was a Socialist state which operated from 1922-1991. It was a major superpower in its time. After the Russian Revolution, the Soviet party gained total power over Russia. The vanguard Bolshevik party led by Vladimir Lenin overthrew the Tsar starting the revolution and established the first Communist state in the world. 

Russia still engaged in the First World War at the time and the Bolshevik party removed Russia from the war. However after Lenin's death in 1924, the young Joseph Stalin took control of the Soviet Party. Under his authority, the USSR began a major power. His totalitarian style of government is considered to be one of the most brutal in the history of the world. Whoever was against the Soviet Party was either executed or sent to forced labour camps in Siberia. 

The Second World War began in 1939. A Nazi-Soviet Pact was been made between the two powers. However Hitler broke the Pact and he declared war on the Soviets. Thus started the most deadliest military warfare in the history of mankind. A total of 20million Soviet people died in the battle. However the victory was achieved by the Soviets as they pushed back the tired German Army and took control of the Nazi annexed regions. The decisive victory came at the Battle of Kursk. The German Army was badly defeated in that battle. Soon the war was over.

The Soviets as compensation for the  loss demanded almost half of Eastern Europe. Stalin was present at the post- war conference. His demand was accepted and an iron curtain was being drawn over Europe. Two completely different political ideologies clashed heads. The US and the USSR clashed as a result starting what is known as the Cold War.

Both the two superpower clashed trying to outwit each other. The US exerted it’s capitalist influence while the USSR exerted it’s communist influence. Both were aware of each other’s nuclear capabilities. During the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Soviets planted nuclear missiles at Cuba just 90 miles from the US coast. This infuriated the US government as it was a threat to National Security. The US ordered the Nuclear Missiles to be removed. The Soviets however were not agreeable as the US had already been planted Nuclear missile towards them in Turkey which was very close to the Soviet territory. But the Soviets agreed to remove the missiles only if they leave Cuba alone and not try to invade them. This offer was accepted by the US and the Nuclear missile were removed from Cuba. Similarly several other conflicts kept it’s pace during the Cold War period. Tensions kept rising and falling until the USSR finally collapsed in 1991 and the Soviet flag was pulled down.