The Final Year: Political Events Leading to the Soviet Collapse (1990–1991)

1. Lithuania declares independence from the USSR

   Mar 11, 1990Labels: Lithuania, Supreme Council

   • Britannica
   • Britannica Lithuania

2. Gorbachev elected President of the Soviet Union

   Mar 14, 1990Labels: Mikhail Gorbachev, Soviet Presidency

   • Washington Post
   • HISTORY

3. Latvia proclaims restoration of independence

   May 4, 1990Labels: Latvia, Supreme Soviet

   • Britannica Latvia
   • Latvia Holiday

4. Russian SFSR adopts sovereignty declaration

   Jun 12, 1990Labels: RSFSR, Declaration of

   • MSU Archive
   • Britannica USSR

5. Ukraine adopts declaration of state sovereignty

   Jul 16, 1990Labels: Ukraine, Supreme Soviet

   • Ukraine Decl
   • PPU Crimea

6. Soviet assault on Vilnius TV Tower

   Jan 13, 1991Labels: Vilnius TV, Soviet forces

   • January Events
   • Britannica Lithuania

7. Pavlov monetary reform begins banknote withdrawal

   Jan 22, 1991Labels: Pavlov reform, Gorbachev decree

   • Pavlov Reform
   • LA Times

8. All-Union referendum on preserving the USSR

   Mar 17, 1991Labels: All-Union referendum, USSR

   • Referendum
   • New Union

9. Georgia votes for independence in referendum

   Mar 31, 1991Labels: Georgia, Independence Referendum

   • Referendum GA
   • UPI

10. Novo-Ogaryovo “9+1” agreement signed

    Apr 23, 1991Labels: Novo-Ogaryovo agreement, 9 1

    • New Union
    • Britannica USSR

11. Yeltsin elected RSFSR president by popular vote

    Jun 12, 1991Labels: Boris Yeltsin, RSFSR Presidency

    • Britannica Yeltsin
    • Election 1991

12. START I signed in Moscow

    Jul 31, 1991Labels: START I, Gorbachev-Bush

    • START I
    • FAS Chron

13. August coup attempt against Gorbachev begins

    Aug 19, 1991Labels: GKChP, August Coup

    • Coup 1991
    • Britannica Gorb

14. Estonia restores independence during coup crisis

    Aug 20, 1991Labels: Estonia, Restoration of

    • Estonia 1991
    • Britannica Estonia

15. Soviet State Council recognizes Baltic independence

    Sep 6, 1991Labels: Soviet State, Baltic independence

    • Washington Post
    • Britannica Baltic

16. Ukraine independence referendum approves secession

    Dec 1, 1991Labels: Ukraine, Independence Referendum

    • Britannica USSR
    • Britannica Ukraine

17. Belovezha Accords declare USSR no longer exists

    Dec 8, 1991Labels: Belovezha Accords, Leaders of

    • Belovezha
    • RFE RL

18. Russia denounces 1922 USSR founding treaty

    Dec 12, 1991Labels: Russia, 1922 Treaty

    • Belovezha
    • Treaty 1922

19. Alma-Ata Protocol expands CIS to 11 republics

    Dec 21, 1991Labels: Alma-Ata Protocol, CIS

    • Alma Ata
    • UPI

20. Gorbachev resigns as Soviet president

    Dec 25, 1991Labels: Mikhail Gorbachev, Resignation

    • Washington Post
    • Britannica Gorb

21. Soviet of the Republics declares USSR dissolved

    Dec 26, 1991Labels: Soviet of, Dissolution Declaration

    • Dissolution
    • Britannica USSR