People
The USSR had many nationalities. During the collapse, people saw changes. Freedom was lost under Stalin. Every aspect of
life was controlled. Anyone that didn't obey was punished! Labor camps were everywhere. Stalin wanted people to worship him.
By 1930 Moscow had many homeless children, a stain on the perfect communist society Stalin was trying to create. If married, families were paid a child allowance. It became hard to get divorced. Working women maintained status and equality with men. All jobs were open to women.
Party officials and skilled factory workers did well. Before health care expanded, poor people could not get medical help. Now doctors were overwhelmed.
Housing remained a problem. In Moscow, 94% of households had one room. In was not unusual for homes to be built without electric sockets despite electricity being available.
Leisure for the average person was based around fitness and sport. Clubs, sports facilities etc. were provided by the state. The state also controlled the cinema, radio etc.
Despite changes that seemed good, millions died in famine. Russia’s agriculture remained stagnant with a 40 million increased population. Russia was a ‘telling’ society. Secret police encouraged people to inform on others. Many suffered as a result of jealousy. Many of Russia's most talented people were murdered during the purges of the 1930's.
Technology contributed to the collapse. They had guaranteed jobs, stable prices, and welfare, but they found their standard of living was below that of others in industrialized countries.
The fall left many of the same problems. The problems seemed worse, because they were no longer hidden behind the Iron Curtain.
Russia won their right to independence, but the struggle for economic survival had just begun. Russia had many problems, but they also have a large skilled
labor force, an educated professional class, and enormous resources. There's little doubt that Russia can again emerge as one of the world's greatest
powers - and this would be due to its people and their strength and talents.