In the 1991 Russian Revolution, what actually occured?

Question

How did the people overthrow the leader? How has Russia changed since then?

Answer 1

During the Soviet Coup of 1991 (August 19-22, 1991) also known as the August Putsch or August Coup, a group of members of the Soviet government briefly deposed Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev and attempted to take control of the country.

Although the coup collapsed in only three days and Gorbachev returned to power, the event crushed the Soviet leader's hopes that the union could be held together in at least a decentralized form.

Russian SFSR President Boris Yeltsin led the resistance from the White House.

Yeltsin vigorously denounced the coup. At one point during the demonstrations, using a megaphone, he stood on top of a tank to condemn the "junta". Yeltsin's forceful performance provided a stark contrast to the weakness conveyed by Yanayev's appearance. This image, broadcast throughout the world on television news, became one of the most enduring images of the coup and strengthened Yeltsin's position immensely.

This image, broadcast throughout the world on television news, became one of the most enduring images of the coup and strengthened Yeltsin's position immensely. A planned assault on the parliament building by Alpha Group, the KGB's special forces, was aborted when the troops unanimously refused the order. A tank unit defected to the government's side and surrounded parliament, guns pointing outward.

There were confrontations in the nearby streets, including one where three protesters were accidentally crushed to death by tanks, but overall there was surprisingly little violence. On August 21, the great majority of troops sent to Moscow openly sided with the demonstrators or called off the siege. The coup collapsed, and Gorbachev — who had been held under house arrest at his dacha in the Crimea — returned to Moscow under the perceived protection of Yeltsin's forces.

By December 1991, all of the republics had declared independence, and negotiations over a new union treaty began anew.

SOME CHANGES SINCE 1991:
Capitalism:
Stock Market
Thought of the Day
"Buy when stock prices are low and hold on to your securities... People seem unable to grasp these simple principles.
They do not buy when prices are low.
They are fearful of bargains."
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/doc/Market.html


Positive articles about it's former enemy, and American products being sold in Russia.
Chrysler Concepts
Issue 34
Winter Guide

After successfully bringing to the market models such as the PT Cruiser, PT Convertible and the Sebring, as well as a host of others, it’s safe to say that Chrysler has been on a roll the last few years. It’s a trend that the company hopes to continue with two new concept cars it will unveil at the North American International Auto Show, taking place in January 2007 in Detroit.

http://www.go-magazine.ru/articles/show/777

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/indexes/01.html

http://www.go-magazine.ru/articles/show/777

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/doc/Market.html

In general, much more freedom than under the Soviet regime but not nearly as much as we have.

Answer 2

It was a Ronald Reagan miracle. A bloodless coup. Communism was declared illegal, the Berlin wall was torn down from both sides, and eastern Europe was freed from the ox-yolk of communism. Hard line commies were arrested and jailed. Russian tanks sent to stop the change instead turned their guns on the commies and hardly a shot was fired. I sure wish JFK could have seen it all. The Russian leader Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990 and communism collapsed from the weight of it's own chains.

Answer 3

RIP Ronald Reagan.....the man saved the world from Communism.