When the USSR entered the past ten years, they were in a state that was pledged to communism, pledged to government control, and pledged to the implementing of communism. The political system of the Soviets had one proclaimed goal: to put into full force effect the communist society planned by Karl Marx. The Communist Party pledged in 1961 to dedicate the Soviet regime to implementing and attaining full-blown Communism. This vow resulted in and set the scene for a lack of freedom that had not been seen like this ever before, a condition that the people had to withstand for years to come, and a government that was to pledge to control just about every part of their lives, including religion, education, justice and economy, who required the utmost submission and enslavement of the people. That is what the Soviet Union was vowed to do when they entered this past decade.

Lack of Freedom

The government extremely and forcibly diminished people's freedom in the USSR.

This includes governmental control over the economy and market, people's work, education, religion, and personal activities such as travel. It is astounding to see the lack of freedom and the control implemented by the government, how people's lives are controlled. Because this is real, it happened, and it is still happening in places around the world today. For the ideals of the Soviets involved nations other than just the USSR. They wanted a communist controlled world. Although much of their own endeavors have failed them, their ideas have still spread to other countries in Asia, and in Europe, which are now communistically governed. Even the countries that are not still considered "communistic", they still contain the communistic mentality that was developed in Russia. And communistic ways of governing are still widely implemented.

The lack of freedoms in the USSR at the start of this decade was found plentiful in the people's work force. Some forms of cruel punishment were abandoned in 1959 such as criminal prosecution for "tardiness" or "absenteeism" if not gaining permission from higher figures of authority to change jobs. But other restrictions continued.

They were plentiful elsewhere, also, and many times interfered with the personal lives of individuals. Citizens were liable to political police control and interference. The ordinary citizens could not become entrepreneurs, could not sell, could not offer individual services, and could not set up their own business. There were the few small exceptions of minor endeavors such as tutoring and baby-sitting. All citizens were required to work until they were 60 years of age, if a man, and women until 56. Citizens were required to posses internal passports before changing locations that had to be stamped by the police. They could only take a distant trip with special authorization. Military service was obligatory. These are only some of the restrictions placed upon the people living in the USSR.

Bad living conditions were another problem. In 1989 15% of families lived in a single room, and 47% lived in two. Some had to wait over ten years to obtain government-funded apartments. 63% did not have a telephone for outside communication. Families lived in housing of poor quality and often had long waits to obtain that. Inequality of income and social status was a widespread problem.

The government boasted free health-care, education, and social security, but the lack of quality and availability caused these to be of low benefit to the people, for they would often have to wait or receive poor treatment. It was hard to get medical treatment and even to purchase medication. Health deteriorated, and infant mortality rates and average life expectancy was poor.

An Anti-Religious Government & Atheism

No wonder a large percentage of the Soviets are now atheist, or not believing in God, for many of their values deteriorated. The government openly opposed religion for a long while, following the beliefs of Karl Marx, in which history was believed to be made up and run by purely material considerations. For the early part of the Soviet's era, the government impounded the property of the Russian Orthodox Church, prohibited religious education, brought into existence anti-religious propaganda, and persecuted priests of religious faith. Through the years, the USSR leaned towards Orthodoxy, that had a special "historic value" to the "patriotism" of Russia, so the religion was not altogether banished, and later became their most followed belief if any. The government kept large monitoring of the people's beliefs, however, keeping close eye on the clergy and at the same time working closely with the political police.

Control Over Education

All over the world, there are cases with proof of violations of the free choice of students as they progress through education. This was and is the case with Russia, some of the most government-controlled education in the world takes place in this country. They have influenced many surrounding countries, particularly one of Russia's "allies", Yugoslavia. Soviet schools focused on subjects such as language, literature, mathematics, military and physical training, and others. Some sons and daughters of those families that were politically associated and would receive special education in other subjects such as fine arts. Those who were well connected with the government found themselves receiving more quality educational treatment than ordinary people. Inequality reigns in Russia's educational system.

All of these methods of controlling are very qualified to be looked at as violations of freedom. Freedom of choice, freedom of religion, academic freedom to pursue one's education and economic freedom all are valid to be considered violations of the freedom, rights, and choices of the people. It was and in many ways still is the case in Communist Russia.

Boris Yeltsin Wins Presidency

Boris Yeltsin became president on June 12, 1991, he was elected the first president of Russia. For Russia had changed their government. With Boris Yeltsin as the leader of the democrats, Russia had become a democracy. But the communism was still there. It was there in the minds of the people.

The USSR had faced a crisis. One by one, republics became independent. Finally, a new government was adopted. Finally, after years of communism, Russia became a democracy. But there were many problems to be faced. The economy was poor, abandoned children roamed the streets. Corruption still existed.