There were many reasons for the collapse of the Soviet Union. Some long term causes were low output of crops and consumer goods, the Cold War led to high military spending, ethnic and nationalist movements, and denial of rights and freedom. The immediate causes were there waws food and fule shortages, war with Afghanistan, demonstrations in the Baltic States and Gorbachev's rise to power. All of this caused the Cold War to end, the Soviet Union to break up into 15 republics (including Russia), and war in Chechnya.
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