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| 1990s |
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| Economic crisis: increasing economic crisis characterized the Soviet Union from the late 1980s until 1993. The decline of the Russian economy intensified in the 1990s with the loss of control over monetary circulation. Cash in circulation in 1991 increased 4.8 times over that in 1990, and sharp price increases reduced the purchasing power of savings by 2.4 times in the same 12-month span. The GNP in 1991 was 83 percent of that of 1990. Profiteering and crime increased rapidly. | 1 |
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| 1990, Feb.–March |
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| Elections for local soviets (councils) and legislatures took place in most of the Soviet Union's 15 republics. In many regions they proved to be the most open elections to take place under Soviet rule. Victories for radical reformers, nationalists, and candidates from the political opposition took place in the Baltic republics, Moscow, Leningrad, and Kiev, demonstrating the waning power of the CPSU. | 2 |
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| Feb. 13 |
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| The Communist Party Central Committee issued revised policies, including guarantees of human rights with a high court to protect them, emphasis on the production of consumer goods, and the development of a market economy. In addition, government was to be based on an electoral system with multiple political parties and a presidential head of state who was responsible to the Congress of People's Deputies but with powers to ensure the functioning of the state. The federation of nations within the Soviet Union was a “unity in diversity,” and attempts at secession were opposed. | 3 |
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| Feb. 28 |
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| The Congress of the People's Deputies passed a law to redefine rights to own property and land. Peasants could choose to be in kolkhozes (collectives) or to receive their own allotment of land. On March 6 the Congress passed a further law on property, giving Soviet citizens the right to own assets and shares in enterprises and to pass these on to heirs. These changes were intended to provide the ground for a new market economy. | 4 |
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| March 11 |
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| Lithuania declared its independence and voted to drop the words “Soviet Socialist” from its name. On March 14 the all-Soviet congress passed a resolution by a large majority that the Lithuanian declaration of independence had no legal force. On March 22 Gorbachev, using his new powers as president, increased pressure on Lithuania by forbidding the ownership of guns and tightening immigration and customs controls on the republic. There was also a show of strength in the capital, Vilnius, as the Red Army patrolled the streets in armored cars. On April 21 the Soviet Union imposed an economic blockade on Lithuania, including the reduction of oil and gas supplies. | 5 |
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| March 14 |
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| The Congress of People's Deputies voted to elect Mikhail Gorbachev president of the USSR, a new post with extensive executive powers. The Congress also voted (March 13) to abolish the Communist Party's guaranteed monopoly of political powers. | 6 |
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| May 1 |
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| The traditional May Day parade in Red Square was followed by more than 40,000 people from political opposition groups denouncing both Communist rule and Gorbachev. | 7 |
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| May 4, 8 |
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| Both Latvia and Estonia passed independence resolutions. Gorbachev issued decrees (May 14) outlawing the independence declarations and asserting that they violated the USSR constitution and the laws of April 30, 1990. | 8 |
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| May 29 |
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| Boris Yeltsin was elected chairman of the Russian Supreme Soviet by the Russian Congress, making him de facto president of the Russian Federation. | 9 |
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| June 2 |
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| Ethnic unrest broke out in the Kirghiz Republic among the minority Uzbeks, leaving 48 dead and many wounded. A state of emergency was declared, and the border with Uzbekistan was closed. | 10 |
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| June 8 |
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| The Warsaw Pact organization declared its intention to become mainly a political body. | 11 |
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| June 12 |
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| The USSR Supreme Soviet passed a law on the press and mass media, featuring detailed guarantees of press freedom and the abolition of censorship. The law came into effect on Aug. 1. | 12 |
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