The August 19 Incident, also known as the "Soviet coup" and the "August coup", refers to the August 19 August 21, 1991Soviet UnionOne occurrencecoup。The reason is that the central government of the Soviet UnionGennady Ivanovich YanayevThe conservatives led by the party want to abolish the General Secretary of the Soviet UnionMikhail Sergeyevich GorbachevAnd reform and save the Soviet Union, which was about to collapse.The leader of the coup was the Soviet Defense MinisterDmitry Mofiyevich YazovMarshalKGBleaderVladimir Alessandrovich Kreutchkovetc.Communist Party of the Soviet UnionHard line members and conservatives.They realized that Gorbachev's reform plan was too excessive and believed that he was negotiating《New Alliance Treaty》Too decentralizedaligned republicAt the same time, the President of RussiaBoris Nikolayevich YeltsinRefuse to obeyState of Emergency CommitteeAnd called for a political strike to protest the actions initiated by Gennady Yanayev and others.On August 20,MoscowA curfew was imposed.On August 21, Mikhail Gorbachev announced that he had completely controlled the situation and restored the once interrupted contact with the whole country. The Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union decided to withdraw the troops deployed in the emergency area.The Soviet cabinet issued a statement saying that it would fully implement the President's instructions.
The coup collapsed and recovered in just three daysGorbachevOfPresident of the Soviet UnionPower. This event greatly weakened the strength of the Soviet Communist Party, declared the complete failure of the attempt to save the Soviet Union, and shattered Gorbachev's hope that the Soviet Union would at least maintain its unity under a loose system.
President Gorbachev of the Soviet Union held secret talks with President Yeltsin of the Russian Federation and President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan in New Ogaryovo, and reached an agreement on the signing of a new alliance treaty aimed at safeguarding the existence of the Soviet Union as a state, including giving greater autonomy to the Canadian Union republics.At the same time, Gorbachev promised Yeltsin to appoint and remove officials including Soviet Prime Minister Pavlov.Later, this agreement was disclosed by the Soviet media Moscow News, which caused dissatisfaction among the hardliners of the Soviet Communist Party.[1]
Event background
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August Coup
"The coup was not as sudden as a bolt from the blue... The answer is that the fundamental changes touched the fundamental interests of the whole social body and all social strata."
——Gorbachev's August Coup
Gorbachev is the Communist Party of the Soviet Union andUnion of Soviet Socialist RepublicsThe last leader of.He joined the throne on March 11, 1985KremlinFrom then on, leading the world's only way to cooperate with a most developed countrycapitalist systemThe United States is on an equal footingSuperpower。
reformer
Gorbachev tookreformer Posture on the political stage.At first, ordinary people in the Soviet Union had great hopes for Gorbachev's reform.The West also welcomes the new master of the Kremlin.As soon as Gorbachev took office, he was praised by western public opinion as "the representative of the new generation of leaders in various fields of the Soviet Union", "the political style may be very different from his predecessor", and "Gorbachev may change the tone and direction of Moscow".
New Wave
After Gorbachev took over the Kremlin, a "new wave" of reform was set off rapidly.What he called the "new wave" was nothing more than the Soviet Union'spolitical systemFrom socialism to capitalism.He tried to figure out what was different from the othersSocialist countryA new way of reform.He first focused on the reformideologyandPolitical systemLevel.Koch's initial reform was to "improvesocialist society ”。But with the development of the international and domestic situationPull one hair and move the whole bodyAs the reform of the Soviet Union unfolded, Gorbachev began to doubt Soviet socialism and tried to find a "humane and democratic socialism".
In early November 1987, GorbachevOctober RevolutionAt the 70th anniversary celebration conference, he made a report, evaluated the 70 year history and important figures of the Soviet Union, and emphasized the need to change the "distorted"socialist system。At the same timeU.S.AGorbachev wrote an appointment with a publishing company《Reform and new thinking》(The original title of the book is "Reform and New Thinking in China and the World"), highlighting that "the core of new thinking is to recognize that the interests and values of all mankind are above everything".Gorbachev said: "The new thinking" is the result of deep thinking about the reality of the contemporary world, the result of understanding that a responsible attitude towards politics must be scientifically demonstrated, and the result of abandoning some axioms that were previously thought to be unshakable. "
New thinking
Gorbachev, who was endowed with "new thinking", was ready to thoroughly reform the socialist system of the Soviet Union and "comprehensively enrich human rights".He was in June 1988Communist Party of the Soviet UnionNational CongressThe report made by the Communist Party of China announced that "we should fundamentally change our political system", implement "socialist pluralism" and "public opinion pluralism", change the functions of the Communist Party, and "turn all power of the country to the Soviet".
On November 26, 1989, Gorbachev《Pravda》Published a long article on.He said: "If the reform of the Soviet Union in the past few years was just to improve the past system," then now "we must rebuild our (Soviet) entire social building - fromeconomic basereachSuperstructure。”He also advocated "promoting pluralism" and advocated parliamentary democracy and separation of powers.
A stone stirs a thousand waves
Gorbachev's sharp turn on major political issues caused political differentiation within the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and within the Soviet Union.The Soviet Communist Party immediately formed a "radical group" represented by YeltsinLigachevThe "traditional school" represented by Gorbachev and the "mainstream school" represented by Gorbachev (claiming to be the "political middle school").At the same time, there are more than 500 political parties of all kinds and more than 60000 "unofficial organizations" in the society.variouspolitic forceThe growth and decline of Gorbachev pushed him to the top of the current.Gorbachev was still able to devise strategies and manoeuvre in all directions.
In 1990, the "mainstream school" represented by Gorbachev used various techniques to implement the line of "humane democratic socialism".Gorbachev also took advantage of the contradictions between various factions to continue to hold the post of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party at the 28th National Congress of the Soviet Communist Party.The "radicals" represented by Yeltsin, united with other opposition groups in the society, seized power in a series of allied republics and regions on the occasion of "free elections" in the first half of 1990, especially Yeltsin was elected as the President of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation.MoscowandLeningrad(TodaySt.Petersburg）And other important citiesSoviet regimeIt is also controlled by "radical" figures.
In the second half of 1990, Yeltsin and others formally withdrew from the Soviet Communist Party and committed themselves to seizing the central power of the Soviet Union.When Gorbachev was in the main leadership position of the party and government and the "radicals" kept attacking, the "traditionalists" were relatively passive in 1990, and Rigachev was excluded from the leadership position at the 28th National Congress of the Soviet Communist Party.Since then, the "traditional school" has not appeared a representative figure with appeal.
People's Congress
On the one hand, Gorbachev was poor in dealing with factional struggles, on the other hand, he was still busyPolitical reformIn addition to restructuring the central leadership of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and replacing a large number of party and government cadres, he also presided over the reform of the regime.First, a new highest authority of the state, the People's Congress, whose permanent body is the Supreme Soviet, was established.
In May 1989Soviet People's Congress。In March and December 1990, two Soviet People's Congresses were held, which significantly revised the Constitution.The revised Soviet Constitution abolished the leadership of the Soviet Communist Party and allowedmulti-party systemandPolitical pluralism, ImplementationSeparation of powersAnd parliamentary democracyPresidential system。Gorbachev wanted to give the president "all necessary powers to implement the reform policy".In March 1990, Gorbachev was elected the first (and last) president of the Soviet Union.
At the second session of the National People's Congress in December 1990, it was also decided to implement the cabinet system under the direct leadership of the president and set up the post of vice president. Yanayev was elected as the vice president of the Soviet Union at this session of the National People's Congress.The President was given far broader powers than the President of the Supreme Soviet.According to the Constitution, the President has 16 powers as the head of state.Determined to reform“Stalinism”The autocratic Gorbachev, however, concentrated too much power on the general unified people, which not only ran counter to his original intention of reform, but also increased personal responsibility and risk.The President became the focus of the conflict.
struggle
It entered 1991.At the beginning of the year, the "traditionalists" took some counter measures against the "radicals" and criticized and warned Gorbachev.The balance of power once tilted to the "traditional school".However, Gorbachev still adhered to the position of the so-called "political centrists"."Radicals" uniteNational separatismThey encouraged miners to go on strike and organized marches and rallies in some cities, demanded the reorganization of the government and the Supreme Soviet, implemented the "non party" of the military and confiscated the property of the Soviet Communist Party, and demanded Gorbachev to resign.The march of "political centrists" has set Gorbachev on fire.He later said, "At that time, there was a voice of 'Down with the General Secretary! Down with the President!'"
By the second quarter of 1991, Gorbachev had turned to the "radicals" and made a series of concessions to Yeltsin.This includes revising the draft of the Alliance Treaty and restructuring the central government of the Alliance despite the results of the referendum on March 17.As a result, Gorbachev attracted a lot of condemnation from the party.The forces of the "radicals" represented by Yeltsin surged.Yeltsin was elected President of the Russian Federation on June 12. On July 20, Yeltsin issued the order of "non party" to dissolve the Soviet Communist Party organizations in organs, enterprises and the army within a time limit.The Russian Parliament passed some laws on privatization.At that time, the Soviet economy suffered a serious recession. In 1991, the negative growth reached 12%, and the people's living standards declined sharply.Acknowledging the sovereignty of all the joined republics“Union of Soviet Socialist Republics”Change to“League of Sovereign States”Treaty of the Union of Soviet Sovereign Republics“New Alliance Treaty”）Ready to sign on August 20.Once this new alliance treaty is signed, at least five of the joined republics will no longer belong to the Soviet Union, which involves the integrity and unity of the Soviet Union.
In this way, major issues such as the future of the Soviet Union, the fate of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and social development were put in front of various political forces in a sharp form, and fierce competition was inevitable.
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Compelling events
On August 16, 1991, three days before the August 19 incident, two notable events occurred: first, the Soviet Army Party's Supervisory Committee and the Special Committee of the Armed Forces Party issued an appeal, calling on the members of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union in the military to strengthen unity and defend the motherland;2、 Former member of the Political Bureau of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, secretary of the Central Committee, and chief adviser to the President of the Soviet UnionYakovlevOn《Message》He issued a statement to withdraw from the Communist Party of the Soviet Union and warned all sectors of society that the leaders of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union were preparing for a coup.
urgent
On the afternoon of August 18, Soviet Vice President Yanayev was in the villa of Soviet Prime Minister Pavlov on the outskirts of Moscow to attend a party to celebrate the return of one of Pavlov's sons to Moscow.When the atmosphere of the party was strong, the KGB called, saying that the National Security Council (KGB) and other leaders of the Kremlin needed to meet immediately to discuss a terribleEmergency。Yanayev and Pavlov immediately drove there.
Gorbachev, Yanayev and others before the coup
In addition to Yanayev and Pavlov, the participants also included Bakranov, the first vice chairman of the Soviet National Defense Conference, Kreutchkov, the chairman of the Soviet KGB, Pugo, the minister of internal affairs of the Soviet Union, Starodubtsev, the chairman of the Soviet Union of Peasants, Jijakov, the president of the Federation of Soviet State owned Enterprises and Industrial, Construction, Transport, Postal and Telecommunications Facilities, and Yazov, the minister of defense of the Soviet Union,Bolkin, the director of the Soviet President's Office, Plekhanov, the head of the ninth bureau of the KGB responsible for the security of Soviet leaders, and Scheinin, the secretary of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party.Almost all the important Soviet leaders except Gorbachev came.
Major disaster
KGB ChairmanKlutchkovAt the meeting, he said: "A major disaster has occurred.".He said that the KGB had received information that someone was going to launch an armed uprising.But he did not say who the people who attempted to carry out armed uprisings were.He also said that those people would encircle some strategic places in the capital, including the headquarters of the television station, the railway station and the two restaurants where the legislators live.He also found a blacklist containing the names of some government officials, including most of the participants, who will be executed as well as their families.Plekhanov said that he also learned about the same situation through other channels, and the problem is really serious.At the same time, the head of the Soviet President's Office, Borin, said that President Gorbachev was seriously ill.He and several other people who had just returned from Gorbachev's Crimea Foros Bay presidential villa said that when they saw Gorbachev, doctors would not disturb them."He may have a heart attack or stroke," Borkin said
Then, the State of Emergency Committee was established.The State of Emergency Committee is composed of 8 people, including the first vice chairman of the National Defense Conference, Bakranov, the chairman of the KGB, Kreutchkov, the minister of defense, Yazov, the prime minister, Pavlov, the vice president, Yanayev, the minister of interior affairs, Pugo, the chairman of the Soviet Union of Farmers, Starodubtsev, and the chairman of the Soviet Union of State owned Enterprises and Industry, Construction, Transport, Posts and Telecommunications Facilities Federation, Jijakov.
At 4:00 a.m. on August 19, the Soviet National Emergency Committee began its work.It is said that at 4:30 in the morning, a close aide of the State Emergency Committee in Moscow phoned the home of a person in charge of Russian television station to inform him in advance that a coup was being prepared.
Relevant personnel
Planner of the New Union Treaty of the Soviet Union
character
Birth and death
Position
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev
1931-2022[3]
General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party, President of the Soviet Union
On August 18, 1991, Marshal Yazov, the Minister of National Defense of the Soviet Union, and Plekhanlov, Borkin, Scheinin, Valennikov and other conservative members of the Soviet Communist Party took a special plane to the villa of Soviet President Gorbachev in Crimea. In view of the domestic tension, Gorbachev was asked to sign an order to implement the state of emergency immediately, but Gorbachev refused,Then they put Gorbachev under house arrest and asked him to resign.[1]
Issue an order
At 6:00 am the next morning, Soviet Central Television and Radio officially announced the order of Vice President Yanayev of the Soviet Union: Soviet President Gorbachev was unable to perform his duties as president due to health reasons, and according to Article 127 of the Soviet Constitution, Vice President Yanayev acted as president.Announced the establishment of the National Emergency Committee, which consists of Vice President Yanayev of the Soviet Union, Marshal Yazov, Minister of National Defense, Chairman of the Soviet KGB, Kreutchkov, Prime Minister Pavlov, Pugh, Bakrov, Chairman of the Soviet Union of State owned Enterprises in Industry, Construction, Transportation and Communication, Gizyakov, and Chairman of the Soviet Union of Agriculture, Starodubtsev.[1]
When Moscow citizens heard Yanayev's order, most of them were very surprised, but they reacted coldly.In the next few hours, Moscow was still in good order.
At the same time, Yazov, the member of the National Emergency Committee and the Minister of National Defense, convened the commanders of all military regions to hold a meeting and issued indicators: maintain order and strengthen the vigilance of military facilities according to the situation;In other cases, pay attention to listening to the radio and reading newspapers.But Yazov did not give orders to dispatch troops.
About half an hour later, Vice President Yanayev, Prime Minister Pavlov and the First Vice Chairman of the National Defense Conference Bakranov jointly signed the Statement of Soviet Leaders, announcing that a six-month state of emergency would be imposed in some parts of the Soviet Union from 4:00 on August 19, 1991, and the Soviet National Emergency Committee would be established.At the same time, Yanayev sent letters to heads of state and government andSecretary General of the United NationsAnd reaffirmed that the Soviet Union abided by its previous "international obligations" and hoped to "gain the due understanding of the people and governments of all countries and the United Nations".
Message to the Soviet People
The National Emergency Committee of the Soviet Union issued a Letter to the People of the Soviet Union as the founding declaration of the National Emergency Committee and the official interpretation of the incident.The Message to the People of the Soviet Union said: "The reform policy initiated and started by Gorbachev, which was originally intended as a means to ensure the rapid development of the country and democratize social life, ended up in a dead end for various reasons. No faith, indifference and despair replaced the initial enthusiasm and hope. Political power at all levels lost the trust of the residents
"The increasingly unstable political and economic situation in the Soviet Union has undermined our position in the world.... Yesterday, the Soviet people abroad felt that they were an influential, respected and respectable citizen. Today, he often felt that he was a second-class foreigner, and people often looked at him with contempt or pity.
"We call on all citizens of the Soviet Union to be aware of their obligations to the motherland and strongly support the National Emergency Committee of the Soviet Union and the efforts made to extricate the country from the crisis."
At 11 noon, the State Emergency Committee issued its No. 1 decision, requiring the organs of political power at all levels to "ensure the unconditional implementation of the state of emergency", immediately disband illegal institutions and armed forces, prohibit marches, assemblies, demonstrations and strikes, and propose some measures to normalize the economic situation.
The Soviet National Emergency Committee is centered on Yanayev, Pavlov and Bakranov.Basically, the important people in the party, government, military, industry, agriculture and other fields except Gorbachev were concentrated.The participation of the first hand of the Ministry of Defence, the KGB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs in the National Emergency Committee is undoubtedly conducive to controlling the national situation.So that Scott, the national security adviser of the then US presidentRoversWhen he got the news of the August 19 incident in the Soviet Union, he also believed that historical experience showed that a coup backed by such a powerful figure was likely to succeed.
Yeltsin boarded the tank and addressed the people
At that time, President Yeltsin of the Russian Federation had considerable supporters.Yeltsin soon established a resistance headquarters in the Russian parliament building.At 11:46 p.m., Yeltsin held a press conference in the Russian Parliament Building, read out the "Letter of Russian Citizenship", declared that the National Emergency Committee was "illegal" and was "a reactionary coup against the Constitution by the Rightists", called for the immediate convening of the Soviet Union's extraordinary people's congress, and called on "Russian citizens to give the rebels the fight they deserve",Call for an indefinite strike throughout Russia.
At the call of Yeltsin and other leaders of the Russian Federation, a huge momentum of opposition to the State Emergency Committee soon formed.The officers of the Soviet tanks, armored divisions and airborne troops who were ordered to encircle the "White House" where the office of the Russian President was located did not know what to do. Later, several officers of the tank troops and the tank brigade announced their defection.On the afternoon of August 19, Glachev, a senior Soviet officer, ordered a battalion of the Tulatu Airborne Division to fall to Yeltsin, and his commander Major General Lebede announced his support for Yeltsin.At about 12 noon, someone held a rally at the Moscow Horse Racing Ground. At the beginning, there were only thousands of people, and more and more people gathered.Yeltsin immediately made an accurate judgment of the situation, walked out of the building to meet with supporters and appealed for the support of the Russian people. Then Yeltsin jumped on a tank and made a speech, read and read the "Message to Russian Citizens" to the rally.Then Yeltsin signed Presidential Decree No. 59, declaring all resolutions and orders issued by the so-called "National Emergency Committee" invalid in Russia.[1]
Until then, under the order of the State Emergency Committee, the army moved to Moscow.Shortly after the rally began, a team of armored vehicles drove from the direction of the Grand Theater to the racetrack square.At 12:30, the demonstrators blocked Twville Avenue with two trolleys in front of the National Hotel.There are tanks on all the bridges in the city center.The army began to mobilize on a large scale in Moscow.
At first, thousands of people from Moscow arrived at the White House. No one stopped them on the way. People put up a fence near the "White House".At the same time, Russian President Yeltsin also signed the order to establish the Russian Ministry of Defense, appointing Constantine▪Kobetz served as Minister of Defence.[1]
At 13:00, Yeltsin walked out of the Russian parliament building and boarded the 110 tank of the Taman division that blocked the Russian parliament building. Several of his assistants also boarded the tank with him.Yeltsin delivered a speech calling on Muscovites and all citizens of Russia to fight back.
Since it was reported in Moscow that the army would attack the Russian Parliament Building at 16:00 p.m., the demonstrators set up roadblocks next to the Russian Parliament Building on the bank of the Red Presnia River from 15:30.In fact, the attack did not take place.
At about 17:00 pm, the President of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet UnionLukyanovIt was announced that an extraordinary meeting of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union would be held in Moscow on August 26, and the meeting would approve the decision to implement a state of emergency in individual regions of the Soviet Union.Then, Yanayev issued an order declaring a state of emergency in Moscow from August 19, and appointed the commander of the Moscow Military RegionKalininThe general is the garrison commander of Moscow City, and authorizes him to issue the order that must be executed strictly to maintain the state of emergency (on the same day, the Leningrad garrison commander also announced that the state of emergency will be implemented in Leningrad and its surrounding areas).
The State Emergency Committee of the Soviet Union issued Decision No. 2, which temporarily restricted the social publications of the central government, Moscow City and the state.Only the following newspapers are allowed to be published: Labor Daily, Workers' Tribune, News, Truth, Red Star《Soviet Russia Daily》Moscow Pravda, Lenin Banner and Rural Life.
Although the main target of the State Emergency Committee was Yeltsin, Yanayev and others tried to use the authority of the Constitution to make the action of the State Emergency Committee legal and delayed taking measures against Yeltsin and other leaders of the Russian Federation, which was a major mistake.When Yeltsin held a press conference in front of the Russian Parliament Building, there were few people around the building.If measures were taken at that time, Yeltsin and others would be doomed.The National Emergency Committee did not even cut off the external contact of the Russian parliament building. Yeltsin could also use the international phone to talk to Bush and other foreign leaders.
Yeltsin and other Russian leaders were also very worried about their own security. Yeltsin had made the worst plan.In the afternoon of the same day, Yeltsin signed the order to establish a business management team.In fact, this group is Russia's "shadow cabinet", which is led by Deputy Minister of the Russian Federation Leonid Ryobov, member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation Klasavchenko, and member of the State Council of the Russian Federation Leonid Bulokov. It is composed of more than 20 people."Shadow Cabinet" was sent to central Russia, located inSverdlovskThe reserve relay station in the forest 70km away from the city leads Russia.Prepare to organize another base area for a long-term struggle in case of the fall of the Russian parliament building.
At 17:46 that evening, Yanayev held his first press conference.The press conference was also attended by Bakranov, Pugo, Starodubtsev and Jijakov, members of the National Emergency Committee.Yanayev said that the National Emergency Committee was determined to "take the most decisive measures to extricate the country and society from the crisis as soon as possible", and intended to request the extraordinary meeting of the Soviet Supreme Soviet scheduled for August 26 to confirm the power to implement the state of emergency.Yanayev said when talking about Gorbachev, Gorbachev "is in a very safe state and has not been threatened", "is now resting and treating in Crimea", and hopes that "Gorbachev will perform his duties after recovery"."My friend President Gorbachev will come back, and we will still work together.".
In the evening, Pavlov, the prime minister of the Soviet Union, a member of the National Emergency Committee and one of the main leaders of the coup, suddenly suffered from hypertension after the evening cabinet meeting.The State Emergency Committee decided to entrust First Deputy Prime Minister Doguzyev to perform his duties as Prime Minister during Pavlov's illness, which had a negative impact on the State Emergency Committee.Others believe that this is a way for Pavlov to withdraw from the coup.
On the first day of the "state of emergency", everything went as planned.The opponents did not organize effective resistance.Except for the Russian Federation, most of the other republics remained relatively calm.UkraineKazakhstan, ArmeniaLithuaniaThe leaders of Georgia and other republics all expressed their attitudes to the incident. Although their statements were different, they generally required the residents of the Republic to remain calm, restrained, cautious, observe discipline, not be instigated, and not confront the army.At 21:15 on August 19, the National Emergency Committee issued a statement, pointing out that the domestic situation remained calm, the residents expressed support for the measures taken by the Emergency Committee, and foreign countries also expressed some understanding.The statement warned Russian leaders of "irresponsible and unwise actions" that "directly connive people to take illegal actions".
Attitudes of countries
The United States and other western powers completely rejected the actions of Yanayev and others, and expressed their support for Gorbachev and Yeltsin. At the same time, they announced the suspension of economic assistance to the Soviet Union and exerted pressure on the Soviet National Emergency Committee.
IsMainePresident Bush, on leave, was woken up at midnight and listened to the report of Scowcroft, the national security adviser of the United States.Bush held a press conference on vacation and issued a statement saying: "Obviously, this is a disturbing development, which will have serious consequences for the Soviet society, the relations between the Soviet Union and other countries, including the relations with the United States." But Scowcroft persuaded Bush that "a coup backed by such a powerful figure is likely to succeed.","We should not cut off the bridge connecting with them."
butNational Intelligence CouncilThe director Fritz Emas provided the president with a report to the contrary based on intelligence analysis.After getting the news of the Soviet incident, Thomas quickly went to the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency to start the computer to inquire about the mobilization and deployment of the Soviet army and the KGB in recent days.To his surprise, there was no change.He said to his colleagues, "Hey, these guys, it's no big deal." His report to the President pointed out that the coup was an uncoordinated and hastily prepared temporary action.In his assessment of the consequences of the incident, he predicted that the possibility of the Kremlin returning to the hands of conservatives was 10%, the possibility of an indefinite stalemate between conservatives and reformers was 45%, and the possibility of early failure of the coup was 45%.
After receiving a series of intelligence analysis and consulting with aides, Bush took a tougher line on the Soviet incident.The United States, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia and other Western countries have unified their voices and strongly condemned the Soviet National Emergency Committee, forming a trend of encirclement and suppression.The United States also used "Voice of America" to broadcast Yeltsin's call for the overthrow of Yanayev and other people and Bush's sympathetic speech, giving Yeltsin an important opportunity to address the Russian people.
Event history
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Gorbachev
Reform and new thinking
August is the holiday season for heads of the Soviet Union and Western countries.On August 4, Gorbachev came to the Villa of the Supreme Leader of the Soviet Union in Crimea Foros, which has beautiful scenery and pleasant climate.Gorbachev owned this villa after he entered the Kremlin in 1985.His famous book "Reform and New Thinking" was completed in this villa during his vacation in 1987.
In August 1991, when Gorbachev was on vacation in this villa, he also had an important task, which was to make final preparations for the new alliance treaty.
Until August 17, Gorbachev alsoPresident of RussiaYeltsin and Kazakh President Nazarbayev discussed the new alliance treaty to be signed and related matters of the Federal Council meeting respectively.He is going to fly back to Moscow on August 19, preside over the signing ceremony of the new alliance treaty in the Kremlin on August 20, and deliver a speech.
At noon on August 18, Gorbachev talked with Vice President Yanayev and told Yanayev the specific time of his arrival in Moscow. Yanayev promised to meet Gorbachev at the airport.After lunch, Gorbachev continued to draft the speech scheduled to be delivered at the signing ceremony of the New Alliance Treaty.
At 4:50 p.m., the personal guard commander Levleyac came in and reported that there was a group of people who wanted to see President Gorbachev.Gorbachev was suspicious after hearing this and immediately asked who he was.Because he didn't invite anyone and didn't get any notice of a visit in advance.Gorbachev immediately asked the guard: "Then why did you let them in?" The guard replied: "Plekhanov came with them." Plekhanov wasSoviet National Security Council(KGB) The head of the security bureau responsible for the security work of Soviet leaders.The guard chief is his subordinate, and of course, he can't stop him, or he won't let people approach the president.
Gorbachev seemed to have a premonition.As the president of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev had a full set of communication systems around him - government lines, ordinary lines, strategic lines and satellite lines.He picked up one microphone, but it was not connected. He picked up five microphones in a row, but they were not connected,Internal telephoneIt was also cut off.Gorbachev felt thatthe situation is serious。First of all, he told his wife, Raisa Makmovna, his daughter, Ilina, and his son-in-law Anatole, who accompanied him on vacation, what had happened, and briefly discussed with them the countermeasures.
Gorbachev came out when the visitor had entered his office.Gorbachev believed that this was "an unheard of disrespect".The visitors were Borkin, Director of President Gorbachev's Office, Scheinin, Member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Bakranov, First Vice Chairman of the National Defense Conference, General Valennikov, Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander in Chief of the Army, and Plekhanov, Director of the KGB Security Bureau.Gorbachev "ordered" Plekhanov to leave the office.
Gorbachev asked: "Before continuing our conversation, I want to ask you, who sent you here?" The answer was: "the committee."
"What committee?"
"Oh, it is a committee established to deal with the state of emergency."
"Who established it? I did not establish it. The Supreme Soviet did not establish it. Who established it?"
The visitor then showcased his cards to Gorbachev: sign the emergency order, or hand over the authority to the Vice President.
Gorbachev said, "What is the basis for solving problems in this way?"
Answer: "The state of the country is heading for disaster, measures must be taken, and a state of emergency is needed. Other measures cannot save us, and we can no longer deceive ourselves."
Gorbachev rejected this request.He said: "If there are different opinions, let's go to the Supreme Soviet to raise these issues and let the People's Congress discuss and seek solutions."
Gorbachev believed that he had successfully prevented or prevented dangerous reversals of events more than once in recent years.He believes that today he can still change the situation.He told the visitor, "You and the person who sent you are irresponsible. You will destroy yourself, but this is your own business. Go to you! But you will also destroy the country and everything we have done. Tell the committee who sent you."
"We are about to sign the Alliance Treaty. Together with the republics, we are ready to make major decisions on food supply, fuel and financial issues, so as to stabilize the political and economic situation as soon as possible, accelerate the transition to a market economy, and give people more opportunities to develop in all aspects. We are about to reach an agreement.Of course, we have not yet reached full agreement: neither side has shaken off suspicion.This suspicion exists in the relations between the republics and the Central Committee, as well as in the political forces andsocial movement In the relationship between.But seeking agreement is the only way out.It has already taken shape, and we have begun to move forward.Only those who are determined to commit suicide will now implement a state of emergency in our country.I have nothing to do with it. "
Valennikov asked Gorbachev: "Hand over your resignation." Gorbachev replied: "You won't get one of these two things - tell the person who sent you this."
Gorbachev then said, "In fact, I have the opportunity to meet with the leaders of many republics to discuss these issues. On August 20, we will sign the alliance treaty. On August 21, we will hold a meeting of the Federal Council. We will discuss the matters reached at the cabinet meeting. We must make certain decisions. But not in the way you want to use."
"So, you will declare a state of emergency tomorrow. What will happen after that? Can you at least work out the plan for the next day and the next few steps - what to do next? The country will reject these measures and refuse to support them. You want to take advantage of difficulties and people's boredom, and you think they are ready to support any dictator..."
Gorbachev also said, "I propose to convene a Supreme Soviet and People's Congress to solve all problems there. Are you worried about the status quo? We are also worried. You believe that urgent measures are needed. I hold the same opinion... I will defend the three main directions of the policy: seeking consensus, expanding reform, and cooperating with the West.Especially because, at this decisive stage, other countries are willing to cooperate with us. "
Visitors with a mission will certainly not compromise, nor will Gorbachev.Gorbachev finally said, "Let's do that. There's nothing more to talk about. Go back and report that I absolutely oppose your plan, and you will be defeated." The meeting ended.
Gorbachev and Yeltsin
On the evening of August 18, KGB Chairman Kryuchkov ordered Plekhanov to isolate Gorbachev and cut off all his contacts with the outside world.At 4:00 a.m. on August 19, the KGB Sevastopol Regiment, under the order of General Marcev, the Chief of Staff of the Soviet Union Joint Air Force, blocked Gorbachev's villa in Feros Bay, Crimea.The regiment used two tractors to cut off the runway of the airport in Buick.At that time, there were two planes of the President of the Soviet Union parked on the airport: "Tu-134" aircraft and "Mi-8" helicopter.
Gorbachev, under house arrest, was anxious to know what the political situation of the Soviet Union was like.He has no information source other than TV.Later, his personal guards found some old radios in the service area, installed antennas and began to listen to foreign broadcasts.They actually receivedbbcAnd Radio Liberty managed to receive VOA.His son-in-law also received a western radio station with a pocket Sony radio.They began to collect and analyze information and assess the trend of the situation.
Gorbachev was very worried about his own safety.Especially after the National Emergency Committee promised to show the diagnosis certificate of Gorbachev's physical condition in the near future at its press conference on August 19, Gorbachev believed that the National Emergency Committee would use all means to destroy his physical and mental health.
Fortunately, Gorbachev's 32 personal guards are still loyal to him.The guards divided the whole residence into responsibility areas for the safety of Gorbachev.They decided to refuse to accept the food delivered from outside every day and live only on the original food and the supply of the guard canteen to prevent harm to Gorbachev.
Gorbachev has repeatedly requested that he resume all contacts with the outside world and send a plane to send him back to Moscow.Of course, there is no result.
On August 20, Gorbachev dictated aFour OpinionsStatement of.He personally wrote the opening words and signed:
statement
1. Yanayev assumed the presidency on the pretext that I was ill and could not perform my duties. This was an attempt to deceive the people, so it could only be called a coup.
2. This means that all actions arising therefrom are illegal and have no legal effect.Neither the President nor the People's Congress granted Yanayev such power.
3. Please convey my request to Comrade Lukyanov to urgently convene the Supreme Soviet and People's Congress of the Soviet Union and consider the situation that has occurred.Because they, only they, after considering the situation, have the right to decide the measures that the government should take and the means to implement them.
4. I demand that the activities of the State Emergency Committee be suspended immediately until the decision mentioned above is made by the Supreme Soviet and the People's Congress of the Soviet Union.The continuation of the action of the National Emergency Committee and the further escalation of measures will ultimately prove to be a tragedy for the people of all ethnic groups. It will further worsen the situation and even destroy the joint efforts of the Central Committee and the republics to get out of the crisis.
President of the Soviet Union
(Signed) Mikhail Gorbachev
In Crimea
August 20, 1991
acting president
On August 19, 1991, Vice President of the Soviet UnionYanayevIssue an order to announce,GorbachevSince he is no longer able to perform his duties as President due to health reasons, he will act as President from now on.At the same time, it announced the establishment of a national emergency committee to exercise all state power and implement a six-month state of emergency in some parts of the Soviet Union,National Emergency CommitteefromYanayev, PremierPavlovFirst Vice President of the National Defense ConferenceBakranovMinister of DefenseIlyazov Minister of InteriorPugo 、National Security CouncilchairmanKlutchkov8 people.Issued by the committee《Message to the Soviet People》, saying that the reform policy advocated by Gorbachev has entered a dead end and the country is at a critical moment of extreme danger.The Commission has issued two successive orders, requiring the political power and administrative organs at all levels to implement them unconditionallystate of emergencyFor the time being, only 9 newspapers such as Pravda are allowed to distribute.
Vice President Yanayev of the Soviet Union
On the same day,Soviet CabinetHold a meeting to express support for the decision made by the State of Emergency Committee.
Political strike
Popular demonstration
President of the Russian FederationYeltsinHe refused to obey the order of the State of Emergency Committee and called for a political strike to protest the actions initiated by Yanayev and others.On August 20,MoscowA curfew was imposed.On August 21, Gorbachev announced that he had completely controlled the situation and restored the once interrupted contact with the whole country. The Ministry of Defense of the Soviet Union decided to withdraw the troops deployed in the emergency area.The Soviet cabinet issued a statement saying that it would fully implement the President's instructions.
Reactionary wave
On August 22, 1991, Gorbachev returned to Moscow from Crimea and immediately revoked all decisions issued by the State Emergency Committee or individual members;Remove all members of the committee from their current posts;The new ministers of national defense and interior affairs and the chairman of the National Security Council were appointed.After the incident, the situation in the Soviet Union became more complicated.Russian federationHe took the opportunity to take over a series of political, economic and even military departments and powers from the Central Committee of the Alliance.In some parts of the Soviet Union, there was a wave of reaction.
resignation
On August 24, 1991, Gorbachev announced his resignationGeneral Secretary of the Soviet Communist PartyPosition, suggestionCentral Committee of the Soviet Communist PartyIt disbands itself and orders all political parties and political movements to stop their activities in military organs and state organs at all levels, such as the army and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.He also issued an order to formSiraevThe committee headed by the President governs the national economy.
World attention
On the morning of August 19, 1991, when the clock on the Kremlin clock tower had just struck six rings, Soviet Central Television and radio simultaneously reported the headline news of Tass News Agency: Gorbachev could not perform due to health reasonsPresident of the Soviet Unionduty.according toSoviet ConstitutionVice President Yanayev acted as president, and all the power of the Soviet state was transferred to the Soviet National Emergency Committee.This explosive news not only surprised the Soviets, but also attracted the attention of the whole world.Leaders of major western countries have interrupted their vacations and trips, and convened senior assistants to study the development of the situation.It is unbelievable that a coup involving and supported by powerful figures in the political and military circles came and went in a hurry.In only three days, the coup was declared a failure.
the whole army was wiped out
On August 20, the National Emergency Committee did not take any major action.Yanayev issued an order, pointing out that the order issued by Russian President Yeltsin aimed at seizing the authority of the highest authority and management organ of the Soviet Union and making the executive organ of the Republic enjoy the authority of the union organ, which is contrary to the Constitution and laws,All the political and administrative organs of the Russian Federation and their responsible persons must "absolutely implement the decisions of the State Emergency Committee of the Soviet Union".The order announced that the four orders issued by Yeltsin on August 19 "have no legal effect as of the date of promulgation".The order requires the leaders of the Soviet law protection organs to "ensure that the staff of the internal affairs, national security and procuratorial organs of the Russian Federation comply with the Constitution and laws of the Soviet Union and the decisions of the Soviet National Emergency Committee".
Kalinin, the commander of the Moscow garrison, announced that a curfew would be imposed in Moscow from 23:00 to 5am on August 20.
In a televised speech, Saint Petersburg Mayor Sobchak severely condemned the actions of the National Emergency Committee.[1]
The State Emergency Commission of the Soviet Union requested the Russian Radio and Television Commission to obey the leadership of the All Soviet Radio and Television Corporation.Cancellation of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Soviet UnionInterior Ministry About dispatching hundreds of people to MoscowMilitary AcademyCommand of armed trainees.
On the contrary, Russian leaders and their supporters took a series of actions on August 20.At 9 a.m., about 50000 demonstrators gathered near the Russian Parliament Building and said they would protect it.SiberiaThe number of coal miners striking increased.At 13:36 p.m., President Yeltsin and Vice President of RussiaRutskoy, Acting President of ParliamentKhamzat Khasbulatov , Prime Minister Silayev jointly sent a letter to Lukyanov, President of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, and requested to meet with Gorbachev within 24 hours after receiving the letter;Carry out medical examination for Gorbachev with the participation of experts from the World Health Organization within three days, and make the examination results public;Remove restrictions on all media activities in Russia;Stop the state of emergency in the Russian Federation during the non routine meeting of the Supreme Soviet held on August 21;The general team withdrew to the original station;Ensure that the President of Russia can exercise his powers without hindrance;Stop threatening the Russian leadership and ensure their inviolability and free access;The State Emergency Committee of the Soviet Union was dissolved and all its orders and decisions were rescinded.Lukyanov met with Rutskoy, Hasblatov and Silayev, and promised to ensure that the Supreme Soviet Conference of the Russian Federation would be held normally on August 21, and that the troops stationed in Moscow would return to their original positions, so as to ensure that Russian leaders would not be threatened.
Yeltsin declared that he began to take over the armed forces in Russia and declared that all orders issued by the Soviet Defense Minister Yazov after August 18 were invalid.The Soviet troops and KGB troops deployed in Russia were ordered to stand by in place, and all troops leaving their original posts must return immediately.Yeltsin also appointed Major General Sherbakov asLeninCommander of Gele Military Region.In the afternoon, Yeltsin also worked with US President Bush and British Prime MinisterMajorCall for international support and call on the West to demand the release of Gorbachev.
Moscow Mayor Popov and Leningrad Mayor Sobchak openly opposed the Soviet National Emergency Committee and supported Yeltsin.Lukin, Chairman of the Supreme Soviet State Affairs Committee of Russia, said at the press conference that about 70% of the leaders of local authorities supported the Russian leadership.
Some soldiers began to defecte.It was originally scheduled to attack and occupy the Russian Parliament Building at 3:00 a.m. on August 20, but it died prematurely because the "Alpha" group of the KGB special force refused to carry out the order (the "Alpha" group obeyed the KGB chairman and was directly under the 9th Bureau of the Soviet KGB).The commanders of most divisions stationed around Moscow refused to move.In Sakhalin, Kamchatka and other placesfar eastThe Soviet army expressed support for the Russian President.
On August 20, the situation of the joined republics also changed against the Soviet National Emergency Committee.President Nazarbayev of Kazakhstan issued an official statement: "The declaration of a state of emergency can only be based on the Constitution and laws", and the Soviet National Emergency Committee "formulated publicly illegal documents without the participation of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Republic".He hoped to hear Gorbachev's own opinion and suggested that the political situation should be discussed immediately at the Supreme Soviet Conference of the Soviet Union and that the Soviet extraordinary people's congress should be convened within 10 days.MoldovaPresident Snegur issued an order declaring that the decisions and orders of the Soviet National Emergency Committee have no legal effect in the territory of the Republic.Prime Minister Muravsky of Moldova issued an order prohibiting the issuance of Labor Daily, Workers' Tribune, Pravda, Shimbun, Red Star, Soviet Russia Daily, Rural Life Daily and Moscow Pravda in the Republic.Georgia's President Gamsakhur Wia issued an appeal, asking the Western countries to support the Soviet Union's democracy, multi-party system and the people's elected parliament and president.
August 21 is the third day of the incident.In the early morning, the National Emergency Committee took action.When the clock struck zero, a group of military vehicles with airborne troops drove from the direction of the United States Embassy to the roadblock next to the Russian Parliament Building.The leading military vehicle was stopped, and the soldiers fired live ammunition into the air.The first batch of military vehicles passed through the human wall next to the U.S. Embassyarbat street Drive in the direction.20 armored vehicles broke through the first batch of roadblocks in New Albat Street and drove to the Russian Parliament Building.
Sporadic shots rang out in moscow.A young man who tried to open the door of an armored vehicle was shot dead.The picket team covered the lookout hole of the airborne armored vehicle with canvas, forcing an armored vehicle to return to the tunnel under New Albat Street.Some reporters gathered around, and a major officer told the RIA news agency that the Russian parliament building would be attacked at night.For this purpose, 30 tanks and 40 armored personnel carriers were prepared, and nearly 1000 people will participate in the battle.Now the armed forces are coming from Lenin Avenue and Jeprestan.
However, the army's armoured personnel carriers did not pass the barrier formed by trolleybus and returned to New Albat Street at 1:30.statesideDiplomatic Embassies Two Yeltsin supporters were killed and some injured.
After that, the army stopped advancing.Some troops defected to support Yeltsin.The army began to withdraw from Moscow.Pulivorisk——UralSome military regions, including the military region, publicly expressed their support for Yeltsin.
At noon, Yeltsin announced at the extraordinary meeting of the Russian Supreme Soviet that he had controlled the armed forces in Russia.Many troops, especially the Taman Infantry Division, the Kandemirovka Division and the airborne troop cluster, have turned to the Russian Federation and implemented the orders of the Russian President.The airborne Tula Corps did not attack the Russian Parliament Building, but protected it.Yeltsin also informed the meeting that some members of the State Emergency Committee had arrived at Moscow's Vnukovo Airport and asked the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs and the KGB to send personnel to immediately block the airport.
The situation has turned sharply downward.At 16 p.m., the Ministry of National Defense of the Soviet Union held a press conference, announcing that the Ministry of National Defense's ministerial meeting had decided to withdraw troops deployed in emergency areas to their original posts.Kalinin, the commander of the Moscow garrison, issued a notice saying that it was "inappropriate to impose a curfew" in the capital Moscow.It was decided to lift the curfew in the capital from August 21.Tass also issued a notice:Former Soviet UnionOn August 19, the regulations of the State Emergency Committee on restricting the publication of social and political publications by the Central Government, Moscow City and the prefectures were revoked.
The extraordinary meeting of the Supreme Soviet of the Russian Federation decided at 17pm to issue an ultimatum to the State Emergency Committee;Dissolve the State Emergency Committee immediately;Release Gorbachev;The state of emergency was lifted throughout the country.After the meeting received the news that Zikryuchkov, Yazov and Jijakov had gone to Crimea to meet Gorbachev, it was decided to send Russian Federation Vice President Rutskoy and Prime Minister Siraev to Crimea to meet Gorbachev.
Rutskoy and Silayev immediately set out with 36 heavily armed special forces police, accompanied by Bakakin and Primakov, members of the Soviet Security Council, several Russian parliamentarians and two medical experts.In addition, there are several Soviet journalists and French envoys to the Soviet UnionPesik, Djamir Bayev, Kazakh representative in Moscow.
Rutskoy and others discussed three battle plans in the front cabin of the aircraft: 1. Issue an ultimatum 10 kilometers from Gorbachev's villa;2. Surround the villa and issue an ultimatum;3. Rush to rescue Gorbachev.Rutskoy also sent a telegram to the Navy Commander Chernavin on the plane to show that the Marine Corps would be sent for reinforcements and ensure that the Russian special plane would land at a military airport near Sevastopol.
At 19 p.m., the plane arrived at the airport in Beribek, Crimea.Crimea autonomous republic The President of the Supreme Soviet Bagrov went to the airport to meet him. He suggested calling Gorbachev first."We will go directly," said Siraev
The presidential villa was silent.The Russian delegation, journalists and doctors were arranged to wait in the movie hall of the villa.Someone kept staring at them and told them that Lukyanov, Ivashko (Deputy General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union), Kreutchkov, Yazov, and Jijakov had arrived early.
More than half an hour later, the Russian delegation was invited to the main building.Gorbachev first met with all members of the delegation, and then talked with Rutskoy, Silayev, Lukyanov and Ivashko, ignoring Kreutchkov, Yazov, Dijakov and others.
At about 21 p.m., Gorbachev issued a statement announcing that he had completely controlled the situation, and that the once interrupted contact with the outside world had also been restored, and that in a few days he could fully perform his presidential duties.
Late at night, the Gorbachev couple, their daughter, granddaughter and Russian representatives arrived at the airport by bus.The Gorbachev family boarded the Tu-134 passenger plane of the Russian delegation and also took Kreutchkov as a hostage.Lukyanov, Yazov and others took the plane when they arrived.Both planes flew back to Moscow at the same time.
At 2:00 a.m. on August 22, the plane arrived in Moscow.Rutskoy asked the Russian commandos to get off the plane with one person. Only when he was sure that Stankovic and others loyal to Yeltsin were present, he got off the plane with Gorbachev and others.
At the same time, arrests have begun.After Yazov got off the plane, the agents of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs secretly escorted him into the airport building.At this time, Russian Interior Minister Balannikov patted Yazov's bodyguard on the shoulder and said, "OK, your task is finished." Yazov said to Bakranov who was walking beside him, "Ah, it seems that he caught me..."
Yazov got into the car, threw the marshal's cap on the seat sadly, and muttered, "Oh, it's a little late..."
Kryuchkov was calm when he was arrested.The Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs of Russia Dunayev, who executed the arrest warrant, asked him: "Do you know what punishment will be imposed?" He replied: "The trial of me and other members of the Emergency Committee will not bring glory to Russia and the Soviet Union." Also arrested at the airport was Tyjakov.
At 4:00 p.m. on August 21, two assistants loyal to Gorbachev who had hidden in the basement of the Kremlin at the beginning of the coup subdued the only guard beside Yanayev, broke into Yanayev's office.Yanayev asked, "Has everyone been arrested?" One of them, Veniamin Yalin, lied to him and said, "Yes." Yanayev explained that he joined the National Emergency Committee to avoid bloodshed.Yalin said, "I am not authorized to come here to discuss with you." He ordered Yanayev not to leave the office and then left.Yanayev looked depressed and passed out after drinking two bottles of vodka.The next morning, Yanayev was taken away.
The Soviet Union's Interior Minister Puge received a call from someone at his home and calmly said, "Please." Fifteen minutes later, the Russian Interior Ministry arrived at his home, and Puge had shot himself.The gun was fired at the mouth and killed with one shot.His wife was shot twice and was dying.
Soviet Prime Minister Pavlov, who was receiving treatment for hypertension, was under on-site supervision.
People's representativesNo,presidium of the supreme soviet No arrest is allowed with the approval of.On August 22, the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union held a meeting, agreed to the report of the Procurator General of the Soviet Union, and investigated the criminal responsibility and arrest of the former people's representatives Bakranov, Borkin, Valennikov, Starodubtsev and Scheinin.
On August 26, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union decided to suspend the post of President of Lukyanov's Supreme Soviet.On the 29th, Lukyanov, who Yeltsin called "coup strategist", was detained by the procuratorial organ of the Russian Federation.
The disintegration of the Soviet Union
As a superpower, the Soviet Union has played a major role in the international arena for more than half a century.However, after the August 19 incident in 1991, the former superpower began to decline and disintegrate rapidly.
On the day Gorbachev returned to Moscow from Crimea, he made a statement on Soviet television, praising Yeltsin, Rutskoy and Siraev for their "outstanding role" in the incident.After Gorbachev's return, Yeltsin's position was strengthened and his reputation greatly increased.Gorbachev and Yeltsin cooperated with each other and decided to establish another society that Gorbachev did not think had a foothold for reactionary forces.They also reached an agreement that one party is allowed to act for the other party in an emergency.
The first thing Gorbachev and Yeltsin should do is to purge the coup d 'é tat and its supporters.All members of the National Emergency Committee have been arrested except for the suicide of the Soviet Union's Interior Minister Puge.The rest of those arrested and jailed were Lukyanov, President of the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, Borkin, Director of the Office of the President of the Soviet Union, Valennikov, Deputy Minister of Defense and Commander in Chief of the Army of the Soviet Union, Scheinin, Secretary of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party, and Vice Chairman of the KGBValentin Glushko Plekhanov, the director of the KGB Security Bureau, and Gneeranov, the deputy director of the KGB Security Bureau, were all locked up“Silence of sailors”Prison ("Silence of Marines" is an ordinary prison in Moscow, officially N3-48/4).To this end, a special reconnaissance team of the "State Emergency Commission" case headed by the Deputy Procurator General of Russia, Yevgeny Lisov, has been set up.In January 1992, he filed a lawsuit against 12 people, including Kryuchkov, Yazov, Pavlov, Yanayev, Lukyanov, Dijakov, Starodubtsev, Bakranov, Scheinin, Plekhanov, Gneeranov, and Valennikov, for "conspiracy to seize the state's political power" (several court trials were held later, but no results were found).
On February 23, 1994, the newly electedRussian State Duma——The lower house of parliament passed a decision to grant amnesty to those accused of participating in the August 19 incident in 1991, the May 1 bloodshed in 1993 and the October incident, and instructed the relevant departments to implement it within six months.
Gorbachev reorganized his organization after the incident.On August 23, President Gorbachev officially appointedShaposhnikovHe was the Minister of National Defense of the Soviet Union, Bakakin was the Chairman of the Soviet National Security Council (KGB), and Balannikov was the Minister of Internal Affairs of the Soviet Union.Shortly afterwards, a number of deputies in these three military departments were replaced.On August 24, President Gorbachev also issued an order to reorganize the cabinet, cancel the cabinet, and establish a national economic management committee headed by Sirayev (who is still the prime minister of the Russian government).In September, it was transformed into a trans republican economic committee still headed by Siraev, which was responsible for the economic affairs of the Union.In early September, the highest organ of state power elected in 1989 was abolished——Soviet People's CongressThe former legal organ, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union, was reorganized into a new bicameral parliament, and its members were re determined and dispatched by the participating republics.The powers of the President of the Soviet Union were also restricted.The State Council is composed of the President of the Soviet Union and the leaders of the participating republics to "jointly negotiate and solve the domestic and foreign policy issues involving the interests of the republics".
The whole country set off a wave of anti communism.Yeltsin believed that all the anti constitutional actions of the National Emergency Committee had been secretly approved by the "New Stalinism" core of the leadership of the Soviet Communist Party.On August 23, Russian President Yeltsin issued an order to "stop the activities of the Russian Communist Party".According to the order of Gorbachev, Yeltsin and Moscow Mayor Popov, the Central Building of the Soviet Communist Party was closed down.At 18:30 on August 23, the party flag in front of the Central Building of the Soviet Communist Party was replaced by the red, white and blue flag of Russia before the October Revolution.
On August 24, Gorbachev issued a statement announcing his resignation as General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party, demanding that the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party dissolve itself and that the Communist Party and local organizations in each republic decide their own future.Soviet Communist property was handed over to the Soviet Union for safekeeping.
Yeltsin also issued an order declaring that all movable and immovable properties of the Soviet Communist Party and the Russian Communist Party were owned by the Russian state.At that time, there were more than 12 billion yuan in various accounts of the CPSU aloneroubleAnd more than 50 million freely convertible foreign exchange.
On August 29, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union also passed a resolution to terminate the activities of the Soviet Communist Party throughout the country.As a result, the Communist Party of each of the joined republics was either terminated or prohibited from activities, or was forced to dissolve automatically, or rebuilt a new party on the basis of the Communist Party, and some communists were even declared illegal.Kruzener, director of the General Office of the Central Committee of the Soviet Communist Party, jumped off a building and committed suicideAhromeyevThe marshal hanged himself in his office.Some leaders of the Soviet Communist Party were arrested, some committed suicide, and a large number of Soviet Communist Party cadres joined the unemployed army.In just a few days, the Soviet Communist Party, with 93 years of history, more than 70 years in power and 15 million members, was devastated.
The initiators of the coup wanted to save the Soviet Union, a superpower on the verge of disintegration, but the failure of the coup accelerated the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
The former 15 republics of the Soviet Union,National contradictionVery sharp, the Russian nationality only accounts for about half of the population.Before the August 19 Incident,the BalticThe three countries demanded independence.Gorbachev tried to pieced together these joined countries loosely through the new alliance treaty, turning the original highly unified country into a union of one country, that is, the confederation.After the incident, some republics demanded independence.On September 6, the newly established State Council of the Soviet Union recognized LithuaniaEstonia、LatviaThe independence of the three Baltic republics was a breakthrough in the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
In December 1991, the Soviet Union collapsed rapidly.On December 1, Ukraine, whose population and economic strength ranked second in the Soviet Union, approved Ukraine's independence in a referendum.On December 8, the leaders of Russia, Ukraine and Belarus shook off Gorbachev, who insisted on signing the New Alliance Treaty, and jointly signed and established“Commonwealth of Independent States”Agreement.The agreement said that "the Soviet Union, as the subject of international law and geopolitical reality, is ceasing to exist." On December 21, exceptbaltic states And outside Georgia, the leaders of 11 republics in KazakhstanAlmatyThe meeting declared that these republics were ready to participate in the Commonwealth of Independent States as "equal founders" and issued the Almaty Declaration.Officially announced that "the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) ceased to exist", and notified Gorbachev to cancel the post of President of the Soviet Union.
The world will remember December 25, 1991.At 10 a.m., Gorbachev came to the Kremlin Presidential Palace to carefully prepare the "Message to the People" to be published in the evening.In the afternoon, Gorbachev and the President of FranceMitterrand, German ChancellorColeBritish Prime Minister Major and US President Bush spoke by telephone.Before announcing his resignation, Gorbachev signed the last presidential decree: to resign as the supreme commander of the armed forces.At 19pm, Gorbachev delivered his resignation speech to the whole country and the world.As soon as the speech ended, he launched 27000Nuclear warheadThe "nuclear button" (a 1.5kg black briefcase with the password for launching Soviet nuclear weapons) was solemnly handed over to Russian President Yeltsin through Shaposhnikov, the temporary commander in chief of the "CIS" armed forces.
At 19:38, the side over the Kremlin, which was familiar to the Soviet Union for generations, was printed with the pattern of sickle and hammerFlag of the Soviet UnionFor the last time, the Soviet history closed the last page in the dark night.
The next morning, the Supreme Soviet of the Soviet Union held its last meeting and officially announced that the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics ceased to exist.
Event results
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The "819 Incident" launched by the Soviet conservatives failed three days later, and the main leaders of the "National Emergency Committee" were finally arrested and tried.Senior officials, including Soviet Interior Minister Pugo and Gorbachev's military adviser Marshal Sergei, committed suicide after the failure of the National Emergency Committee.[1]The action of the National Emergency Committee actually accelerated the disintegration of the Soviet Union, and completely destroyed Gorbachev's plan to maintain the existence of the Soviet Union as a sovereign state by signing a new alliance treaty.
Insider
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After the "819 Incident", for fear of being arrested, the aides of Russian President Yeltsin once suggested Yeltsin to slip along the Moscow River in a boat disguised as a fisherman. Others suggested him to flee to other cities in Russia. Finally, Yeltsin did not take these suggestions but decided to stay and face what would happen.[1]Yeltsin sent his trusted follower Hilayev out to inquire about the situation. After Hilayev called Yeltsin from his office, Yeltsin immediately got on his special bus and went straight to the "White House". Yeltsin's bodyguards put submachine guns on their knees in case of accidents, but strangely Yeltsin's vehicle was not blocked,Although the Soviet KGB and the military had worked out a rigorous plan to arrest Yeltsin, the KGB's anti-terrorism special force Alpha Force did not receive the order to arrest Yeltsin.Kozilev, then the Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation, had received an order to form a government in exile in Paris if Yeltsin was arrested.
contribution
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August 19 Incident
On August 19, 1991, a group of hard line conservatives "put Gorbachev, the General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, under house arrest" in an attempt to seize control of the Soviet Union.However, while controlling media organizations such as television stations, radio stations, newspapers, etc., the coup d 'é tat left out some communication channels, allowing Yeltsin to announce the "Message to the Soviet People" to the world, which caused the coup d' é tat to miscarry.In this process, the Internet, which is still in its infancy, has played a role in providing information.
The openness of information brought about by the Internet has brought a strong impetus to the political process. Such a judgment has almost become the world consensus today when the Internet is developed.According to the recent report of Agence France Presse, the Internet has actually "stepped onto" the political stage 20 years ago.This stage was the shocked "August 19" coup of the Soviet Union.
According to the information disclosed in the future, Yeltsin and his close aides had already begun to send this document by fax from the villa.After entering the "White House", they made full use of various means to spread out.People soon found to their surprise that the "Emergency Committee" had not blocked all information transmission channels, including the Internet.
At that time, the Internet was still in its initial stage of development. An electronic bulletin system called USENET was responsible for publishing and sharing files among computer users all over the world.The Soviet Union also has an entrance to the system, which is located in theKurchatovgraduate school.The history of Kurchatov Institute can be traced back to Stalin's time, and it was the first important place to develop nuclear technology.By the 1980s, it was still the representative of the Soviet Union's cutting-edge technology, and the newly emerging Internet technology was naturally the first to be used here.At that time, the internal communication network of the Institute was named "Lelcom"The only one in the whole Soviet UnionComputer network connected to international "USENET".In order to improve work efficiency, many scientific research institutions in the Soviet Union know how to use this network interface to exchange what they need with foreign scientists.
Agence France Presse reported that when Yeltsin and his colleagues tried to spread《Letter to Russian Citizenship》One of the copies came to the computer center after several rounds.What is certain is that when the staff of the computer center saw the contents of the document, everyone was excited - they had learned the general situation of Moscow from the TV, and many people believed that they had the obligation to let more people know the "Letter of Russian Citizenship" and the truth of the coup.As a result, the files were quickly entered into the "USENET" system.In the next few hours, many western scientists learned about the document through this network, and then the document was sent to the editorial offices of many traditional media.As a result, the name of the computer center was widely spread in subsequent extensive reports by foreign media.
A few weeks later, Sjybanova, the administrator of the computer center, met Yeltsin and displayed the electronic version of the Letter of Russian Citizenship on the spot.Ye, who had never been exposed to computer technology before, was surprised and thanked the researchers.His original words are: "Although TV, radio and newspapers are controlled by them, we believe that information can be spread and Russians can know our existence".
In any case, at the beginning of its birth, the Internet did play an important role in the short-lived coup and became an indirect driver of the disintegration of the Soviet Union.
