The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 was one of the most significant events of the twentieth century, marking the end of the Cold War era and bringing major political, economic, and social changes across the world. The disintegration of the Soviet Union was not caused by a single factor but resulted from a combination of economic weaknesses, political problems, social dissatisfaction, and national movements within the Soviet republics. One of the major causes of the collapse was the economic crisis faced by the Soviet Union. The centrally planned economic system, which controlled production and distribution through government decisions, became inefficient over time. The economy suffered from low productivity, technological backwardness, shortages of consumer goods, and poor industrial management. A large portion of national resources was spent on military development and maintaining influence abroad, while ordinary citizens faced difficulties in accessing basic necessities. The economic competition with the United States during the Cold War placed additional pressure on Soviet