Soviet Union

The Soviet Union is the short form for the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, or USSR. It was a communist empire led by Russia.

The Soviet Union lasted from 1922 until 1991, during which it dominated Eastern Europe, Central Asia ?, and North Korea. The Soviet Union was also notable for its success in space exploration ?, including the lauch of Sputnik ?, the first artificial satellite, followed within a few years by the first man in space, Yuri Gagarin.

During the Cold War against the United States, the Soviets developed the largest nuclear weapon stockpile ever assembled.