*USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics)*: *CSS CORNER PLATFORM 💗* *The USSR:* 1. *Formation*: The USSR was officially formed in *1922* after the Russian Revolution of 1917, which led to the collapse of the Russian Empire. It was intended to unite various republics under one federal system dominated by the Communist Party. 2. *Capital*: The capital of the Soviet Union was *Moscow*, which remains the capital of Russia today. 3. *Government*: The Soviet Union was a one-party state controlled by the *Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU)*. The country was ruled by a series of General Secretaries and had a centralized, planned economy. 4. *End of the USSR*: The Soviet Union officially dissolved on *December 26, 1991*. This was the result of internal economic troubles, political instability, and the rise of independence movements within its republics. 5. *Economic System*: The USSR had a *command economy*, where the state controlled most aspects of economic life, including production, pricing, and distribution of goods and services. The country was heavily industrialized, with a focus on heavy industries, military production, and space exploration. 6. *Military Power*: The USSR had one of the largest and most powerful military forces in the world, including a significant nuclear weapons arsenal. The Soviet Union was one of the two superpowers during the *Cold War*, in opposition to the United States and its allies. 7. *Space Exploration*: The USSR was a pioneer in space exploration. In *1957*, the Soviet Union launched *Sputnik 1*, the first artificial satellite, into space. This was followed by other achievements, such as sending the first human, *Yuri Gagarin*, into space in *1961*. 8. *Cold War*: The USSR was one of the central players in the *Cold War* (approximately 1947–1991), which was a period of political and military tension between the Soviet Union and the United States, along with their respective allies. This rivalry led to numerous proxy wars, nuclear arms race, and espionage activities. 9. *Cultural Impact*: The USSR played a significant role in shaping global culture, particularly through *literature*, *art*, and *cinema*. Many famous writers, poets, filmmakers, and artists emerged from the Soviet Union, such as *Leo Tolstoy*, *Anton Chekhov*, *Andrei Tarkovsky*, and *Sergei Eisenstein*. 10. *Dissolution and Successor States*: Following the collapse of the USSR, 15 independent countries emerged. These countries are now sovereign states, with Russia being the largest and most influential among them. Other countries like Ukraine, Belarus, and the Baltic states (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) also gained independence. *Notable Facts about the 15 Soviet Republics:* 1. *Armenia*: Located in the Caucasus region, Armenia is known for its ancient Christian heritage and its rich history as one of the first nations to adopt Christianity as its state religion in *301 AD*. 2. *Azerbaijan*: Azerbaijan, also in the Caucasus, is known for its oil reserves and its position at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. It was the first Muslim-majority country to establish a parliamentary republic in 1918. 3. *Belarus*: Known as the "last dictatorship in Europe," Belarus is heavily influenced by Russian culture and politics. Its capital, *Minsk*, is a major industrial and cultural hub. 4. *Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania*: These Baltic States have a long history of struggle for independence from foreign powers. They gained independence from the USSR in *1990* and are now members of the European Union and NATO. 5. *Georgia*: Located at the intersection of Europe and Asia, Georgia has a distinct culture and language. It declared its independence from the USSR in *1991* and has had ongoing conflicts with Russia, particularly over the regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia. 6. *Kazakhstan*: Kazakhstan is the world's largest landlocked country and the ninth largest by area. It has vast natural resources, including oil and minerals, and has a growing economy post-Soviet Union. 7. *Kyrgyzstan*: Known for its mountainous terrain, Kyrgyzstan gained independence in *1991*. It has faced political instability and has gone through several revolutions in the 21st century. 8. *Latvia*: One of the Baltic States, Latvia is known for its beautiful forests, lakes, and medieval architecture. It became a member of the EU and NATO in 2004. 9. *Lithuania*: Lithuania declared its independence from the USSR in *1990* and was the first Soviet republic to do so. It has since become a member of the European Union and NATO. 10. *Moldova*: Moldova is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe with a population that is ethnically and linguistically tied to Romania. It has faced political and economic challenges since gaining independence in *1991*. 11. *Russia*: The Russian Federation is the largest and most powerful of the former Soviet republics. Moscow is a global political, cultural, and economic hub, and Russia is considered a major world power, particularly due to its nuclear arsenal. 12. *Tajikistan*: Tajikistan is the smallest of the Central Asian republics and has faced ongoing political and economic challenges. It is landlocked and mountainous, with a population of primarily Tajik ethnicity. 13. *Turkmenistan*: This Central Asian republic is known for its vast deserts and rich natural gas resources. It has one of the most repressive governments in the world and remains largely isolated from the international community. 14. *Ukraine*: Ukraine gained independence from the USSR in *1991*. It has faced tensions with Russia, particularly after Russia's annexation of Crimea in *2014* and its ongoing conflict with Russian-backed separatists in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. 15. *Uzbekistan*: Uzbekistan is the most populous country in Central Asia. It has abundant natural resources, including cotton, and has made strides toward economic modernization since gaining independence. *Legacy of the USSR:* - The collapse of the USSR marked the end of the Cold War and led to significant political and economic changes in the world. It had a major impact on international relations, shifting the global balance of power. - *Russia* remains the successor state and holds much of the USSR's former military and nuclear might. - The fall of the USSR also led to the rise of *independent movements* and the creation of *new countries*, as well as the formation of international organizations like the *Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS)*, aimed at promoting cooperation among former Soviet republics. In short, the dissolution of the Soviet Union marked the end of an era, and the legacies of the USSR still influence global politics today. *#####civil Service of Pakistan #####*