In what year did the Soviet Union dissolve?

The Soviet Union officially dissolved in 1991, marking the end of a significant era in world history. This dissolution was a result of various factors, including political turmoil, economic struggles, and a growing desire for independence among the USSR's republics. The formal dissolution took place on December 26, 1991, when the Soviet Union was officially declared to no longer exist, replaced by 15 independent republics.

The events leading up to the dissolution involved a series of reforms under Mikhail Gorbachev, such as Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring), which inadvertently weakened the central government's control. Significant events like the 1991 coup attempt and the rise of nationalist movements contributed to the collapse of Soviet authority. The year 1989 is notable for the fall of the Berlin Wall and revolutions in Eastern Europe, but it did not mark the end of the Soviet Union itself. The years 1993 and 1995 did not see the dissolution of the Soviet state, as it had already been fully dissolved by that point. Understanding the context of 1991 provides insight into the broader transformations occurring in Eastern Europe and beyond during the late 20th century.