What role did the constant state of militarism and the costs of keeping up with the U.S. military buildup have on the Soviet economy?

 Required Resources
Read/review the following resources for this activity:

• Textbook: Chapter 9, 10
• Lesson
• Minimum of 1 scholarly source (in addition to the textbook)

Option 1: Examine the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1980s. Include the following in your discussion:

• What were the main reasons for the collapse?
• What role did the constant state of militarism and the costs of keeping up with the U.S. military buildup have on the Soviet economy?
• What role did uprisings and rebellions in Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, and East Germany (among others) have on the sudden collapse of the USSR?

Option 2: Examine communism and socialism.

• We hear so often today that socialism and communism are the same thing. Examine the similarities and differences between the two.
• Why do so many Americans seem to hate even the word “socialism”?
• We already employ some socialism in this country today (and for the past several decades). Examples include libraries, police departments, public education, Social Security, Medicare/Medicaid, public parks, roads/highways, and so on. How do these services factor into arguments for or against socialism?

Follow-Up Post Instructions
Respond to at least two peers or one peer and the instructor. At least one of your responses should be to a peer who chose an option different from yours. Further the dialogue by providing more information and clarification.

Writing Requirements

• Minimum of 3 posts (1 initial & 2 follow-up)
• Minimum of 2 sources cited (assigned readings/online lessons and an outside source)
• APA format for in-text citations and list of references