| − | The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR was established by [[Vladimir Lenin]] in 1922. It allowed one central government under Lenin to control many socialized republics. | + | The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics or the USSR, the primary member of which was [[Russia]],, was established by [[Vladimir Lenin]]'s [[Bolshevik]] Party in 1922 following the overthrow of the Tsar and the [[Russian Civil War]]. It allowed one central government under Lenin to control many socialized republics. The USSR became infamous for its violations of human rights and eventually began to collapse in the 1980s due to the successful policies of President [[Ronald Reagan]] who bankrupted the USSR through an [[arms race]] (which was destined to be won by America due to a superior economic system). The USSR was formally dissipated in 1991 by [[Boris Yeltsin]]. |