Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
We enter the present just after the 1991 August Coup. Radical Reformists, unhappy with the state of the economy and convinced that a free market must be established, could no longer accept the dominance of the CPSU. Over the course of 3 days, President Gorbachev was placed under house arrest, and coup sympathizers attempted to storm the White House (the Russian Federation’s parliament, not the residence of the president of the United States). Although the coup failed, it is clear that Gorbachev no longer has the confidence of the people and will resign, unless drastic action is taken. The days of the USSR are numbered.
With a set of conferences due to begin between the key players within the floundering USSR, anything can happen. Will Gorbachev regain his grip on power? Do the republics still gain complete independence, or will they resolve to remain somewhat together? Will there be a swift and complete reversal of glasnost? These questions, and more, will be answered in what promises to be some of the most important meetings in modern history.
Director's Letter:
Dear delegates,
It is my absolute pleasure to welcome you to HNMUN. My name is Charlie Yang and I am a sophomore at Harvard concentrating in Applied Mathematics, Economics, and Computer Science.
Originally form Sydney, I initially got exposed to the world of MUN through coincidentally walking into a lunch-time meeting hosted by my school’s MUN club. Since then, I’ve participated in a couple of conferences – mostly focused on the security council and drafting resolutions – in Australia and was lucky enough to help organize a few conferences run by both HMUN and HNMUN. As an avid debater both in high school and college, MUN provided the perfect blend between pure debate and research. It was a challenging, enriching, and incredibly fun experience that exposed me to some incredible people and places. I hope that this conference will be equally gratifying for you.
First, a bit about this year’s iteration of the historical committee. Inspired by my high school modern history teacher, we will travel to 1991 Russia, then the Soviet Union. It is August 1991, and the Union is in disarray following years of internal strife and a few coups. With President Gorbachev on the back foot, key leaders within the Union are meeting to decide the USSR’s next steps. On behalf of Natalka Bowley – our amazing crisis director – and I, we cannot wait to dive into this incredible moment in history. In order to simulate the chaos of the time, we will also be providing a complete crisis experience within the conference. From nuclear threats to potential coups, you will have the opportunity to shape post cold war history. As with all MUN conferences, the experience that you get out of this year’s HNMUN is truly up to you.
Again, I hope that you have an amazing time both in preparing for the conference and in participating in it. It is the goal of this committee to impart in you an appreciation for what (actually) happened in 1991 and a level of recognition of the immensely consequential role that a few individuals may play in shaping the world that we live in.
Charlie Yang
Director, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Harvard National Model United Nations 2022
Crisis Director's Letter:
Dear Delegates,
Welcome to the United Nations Security Council on the Dissolution of the Soviet Union! My name is Natalka Bowley and I am very excited to be serving as your crisis director at HNMUN 2021.
I am a rising junior at Harvard College studying Applied Math and Economics with a secondary (minor) in Russian Studies. My primary research focus at the College is economic development in Eastern Europe, with a particular focus on the economic aftermath of the dissolution of the Soviet Union.
I am originally from Toronto, Canada, where I competed in the Canadian circuit. I have continued to be involved at Harvard. I am one of the Head Delegates of Harvard’s travelling Model UN team and hopefully I will see some of you as a delegate at other conferences! I was a director of the Committee on the Status of Women at HNMUN 2021 and a Senior Operators Direction at HMUN 2020. I’m involved in Harvard’s international conference in India, HMUN India, as its Director General. Outside of school, I very much enjoy long distance running.
The years following the dissolution of the Soviet Union were some of the most interesting in the history of the modern world. Russia saw the rise of its first realistic democrat in Boris Yeltsin. Seven years after his famous stance for Russian democracy standing on the tank in Red Square, Russians witnessed that same leader supporting and creating an oligarchy and getting sloppily drunk at meetings of international leaders. The Russian economy privatized; Russians began to accumulate wealth in part through voucher privatization that was suddenly snatched away during the loans-for-shares years. The ruble collapsed and rebounded. Putin and the new KGB eventually came to power. Simultaneously, Russia’s former vassal states began building nations of their own with their own dramatic sagas from Lukashenko’s autocratic Belarus to Ukraine’s struggle to separate its culture from Russia’s. As delegates, you are tasked with investigating these issues and events. I can’t wait to see what innovative crisis arcs and strategies you come up with.
I hope you all have an interesting and fun weekend and I cannot wait to meet you all. If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to reach out! I would love to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Natalka Bowley
Crisis Director, Union of Soviet Socialist Republics
Dissolution of the Soviet Union
Harvard Model United Nations 2021