The 1991 Coup Attempt Against Gorbachev

The Failed Coup: A Turning Point in Soviet History

The **1991 coup attempt** against Mikhail Gorbachev was a significant event that marked a critical point in the dissolution of the Soviet Union. On August 19, 1991, hardline members of the **Communist Party of the Soviet Union** (CPSU), unhappy with Gorbachev's reforms, attempted to overthrow him and regain control of the country. This coup was deeply rooted in the dissatisfaction among conservative communists who believed that Gorbachev’s policies of **glasnost** (openness) and **perestroika** (restructuring) were leading the Soviet Union towards collapse.

Key Figures in the Coup

The coup was orchestrated by senior officials, including Vice President **Gennady Yanayev**, who stated that Gorbachev was unable to fulfill his duties due to health issues. A State Emergency Committee (GKChP) was formed, and they placed Gorbachev under house arrest in Crimea while assuming power in Moscow. The coup leaders aimed to revert Gorbachev's reforms and restore traditional Soviet values, but their actions were met with widespread resistance.

The Role of Boris Yeltsin

As the coup unfolded, **Boris Yeltsin**, the President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, played a pivotal role in rallying opposition against the coup leaders. On August 19, Yeltsin climbed atop a tank outside the Russian White House, delivering an impassioned speech to thousands of supporters, urging them to resist the coup. This act of defiance galvanized public support for Gorbachev, bringing together citizens in defense of democracy.

The Aftermath of the Coup

The coup attempt lasted only three days and ultimately collapsed after facing significant public opposition, particularly in Moscow. By August 21, the leaders of the coup were arrested, and Gorbachev returned to Moscow a weakened leader. The failed coup had far-reaching consequences, as it effectively weakened the authority of communism in the Soviet Union and accelerated the push for independence among various Soviet republics.

The Impact on Soviet Republics

In the wake of the coup's failure, republics like Ukraine and the Baltic states used the instability to assert their independence. As popular movements grew stronger and the grip of the CPSU weakened, the Soviet Union strained under nationalistic pressures, culminating in its dissolution later that same year in December 1991.

Gorbachev's Legacy

While Gorbachev sought to transform the Soviet Union and make it more democratic, the coup and its aftermath ultimately contributed to his downfall and the end of communist rule in the region. His legacy remains complex, characterized by attempts to reform a faltering state faced with overwhelming societal change.

Fun Fact

The Coup’s Unexpected Outcome

Interestingly, the 1991 coup not only enhanced Boris Yeltsin's popularity but also marked a significant shift in public sentiment against the communist regime. Many citizens who initially feared the collapse of communism found themselves embracing the change.

Additional Resources

Recommended Reading on Mikhail Gorbachev

For those interested in exploring this pivotal moment in history further, consider reading Gorbachev: On My Country and the World, which provides insights from Gorbachev himself, or The Gorbachev Factor by Richard Sakwa, which analyzes his role in the Soviet Union's transformation.