The Soviet system, however, became very bureaucratic and authoritarian, making life very difficult for its citizens.

Question

Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions: 

The Soviet system, however, became very bureaucratic and authoritarian, making life very difficult for its citizens. Lack of democracy and the absence of freedom of speech stifled people who often expressed their dissent in-jokes and cartoons. Most of the institutions of the Soviet state needed reform: the one-party system represented by the communist party of the Soviet Union had tight control over all institutions and was unaccountable to the people. The party refused to recognize the urgency of people in the fifteen different republics that formed the Soviet Union to manage their own affairs including their cultural affairs. Although on paper, Russia was only one of the fifteen republics then together constituted the USSR, in reality, Russia dominated everything, and people from other regions felt neglected and often suppressed. 

1. What was the Soviet system? 

2. How many republics formed the Soviet Union? 

3. Which republic dominated in the USSR? 

4. Why did people become dissatisfied with the rule of Communist Party of Soviet Union?

Answer 1

1. (i)  Soviet system was bureaucratic and authoritarian making life difficult for citizens.

  (ii) Soviet system lacked democracy and the freedom of speech of people was also snatched away. 

2. 15 Republics.

3. Russia. 

4. (i) Soviet Union had tight control over all institutions. 

    (ii) Soviet Union was unaccountable to people. 

    (iii) Soviet Union refused 15 republics to manage their own affairs.