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With the exception of the CIS – an intergovernmental organization and legal successor to the Soviet Union – only states that are former Soviet republics, now members of the United Nations, are listed as successors.
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Estonia
- Georgia
- Kazakhstan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lithuania
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Armenia is a small, landlocked country nestled between the Black and Caspian Seas. For many years, Armenia was just another piece of the massive Soviet Union puzzle. With 11,500 square miles, the Republic of Armenia was commonly known as Soviet Armenia during the time of the USSR. The country was among the Soviet Union's constituent republics in De...
The fascinating country of Azerbaijan has a long and tumultuous history, marked by moments of both triumph and tragedy. It existed as an independent nation from 1918 to 1920 when it came under Soviet rule as Azerbaijan SSR, and its dream of a free state ruled by the people was put on hold for a long 71 years. But as the Soviet Union's grip on power...
Belarus, a landlocked country located in the heart of Eastern Europe. Bordered by Russia to the east and Ukraine to the south, Belarus has a rich and varied history. Also known as "White Russia," Belarus is the largest of the three Eastern European countries that initially formed the Soviet Union. Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, the territor...
This beautiful and sovereign nation is located in the northern reaches of Europe, nestled alongside the sparklingBaltic Sea. The Estonian people have a long and rich history and have always had a fierce desire for independence. In fact, a mass protest known as the Baltic Chain inspired the Estonian congress to start working toward building a free n...
Nestled in the Caucasus region of Eurasia, Georgia is a country with a rich and varied history. From its ancient roots as a kingdom to its time under the rule of the Turkish and Persian empires, Georgia has always been a place of cultural diversity and significance. Soviet Georgia was one of the Soviet Union's constituent republics admitted to the ...
Kazakhstan is a transcontinental country located in Central Asia and Eastern Europe. Soviet Kazakhstan was established in 1936 as part of the Soviet Union. As the last of the Soviet states to declare independence, Kazakhstan joined the Commonwealth of Independent States in 1991 after the collapse of the Soviet Union. Its independence was formally r...
Kyrgyzstan is a beautiful country located in the heart of Central Asia. Kyrgyzstan is bordered by Kazakhstan to the north, Uzbekistan to the west, and Chinato the east. The country has a long and storied history with roots that go back to ancient times. Soviet Kyrgyzstan was established on December 5, 1936. The territory's name was changed to the R...
Latvia is a small country located inNortheastern Europe along the beautiful Baltic Sea. Latvia has a long and complicated history, full of twists and turns. The country was originally settled by the ancient Balts, who were eventually conquered and forced into servitude by the fearsome Vikings. Later, in the mid-1200s, the whole region of Latvia cam...
Welcome to Lithuania, a small but mighty country located in the Baltic region of northern Europe. Lithuania has a long and fascinating history, full of twists and turns. In 1939, the country was absorbed into the Russian Empire, much to the dismay of the Lithuanian people. They complained openly and actively sought help from other nations, but to n...
Learn about the 15 post-Soviet states that emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Explore their history, geography, culture, and economy with maps and facts.
Learn about the 15 independent states that emerged from the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, their history, politics, economy, and regional organizations. Compare their current leaders, population, area, and ethnic composition.
- Russia. After the Soviet Union dissolved, its preeminent republic endured political dysfunction and struggled to privatize its central command economy. While oligarchs accumulated great wealth, most Russians faced high inflation and supply shortages.
- Ukraine. Once known as Europe’s breadbasket for its plentiful wheat fields, Ukraine accounted for a quarter of the USSR’s agricultural production. Since independence, the country’s politics have lurched between pro-Russian and pro-European governments.
- Belarus. Soviet vestiges such as the KGB and a highly centralized economy have endured in post-independence Belarus. The country’s only post-Soviet president, Alexander Lukashenko, consolidated near-absolute power through a repressive regime that has allegedly rigged elections, jailed political opponents and silenced the press.
- Moldova. The Moldavian SSR joined the Soviet Union in 1940 after the USSR annexed it following its secret 1939 non-aggression pact with Nazi Germany. After independence, pro-Russian and pro-EU politicians have vied for control of Moldova.
The history of the Soviet Union (USSR) (1922–91) began with the ideals of the Bolshevik Revolution and ended in dissolution amidst economic collapse and political disintegration. Established in 1922 following the Russian Civil War, the Soviet Union quickly became a one-party state under the Communist Party.
2 days ago · Soviet Union (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics; U.S.S.R.), former northern Eurasian empire (1917/22–1991) stretching from the Baltic and Black seas to the Pacific Ocean and, in its final years, consisting of 15 Soviet Socialist Republics. The capital was Moscow, then and now the capital of Russia.
Sep 1, 2017 · Learn about the Soviet Union, the world's first Marxist-Communist state that emerged from the Russian Revolution in 1917 and dissolved in 1991. Explore its history, politics, economy, culture, space program and role in the Cold War.
