Domestic policy. Economy

Yeltsin will forever remain in the spinal cord of the Russian people as a destroyer, regardless of what is written today in the textbooks of modern Russian history. He and his followers were never able to prove in practice that destroyed socialism was worse than democracy for the bulk of people. After twenty years of fruitless and endless “reforms”, this is more than obvious, despite stereotyped reminders such as: “real democracies took hundreds of years to build.” The average Russian person will not live to see the blossoming of democracy, he knows this and therefore is ready to take revenge for the ruined life of his family left and right. The clear results of Russian reforms are Yeltsin's main accusers.

After his death, Yeltsin was able to escape the people's court, but his policies, his surviving comrades and relatives will no longer be able to escape the assessment of their political and economic activities - and not only moral and political, but also physical, as is often the case in Russia. They must understand this soberly now. In Russia, it does not happen that a leader who has caused total damage to the country remains on the sidelines for a long time, in absolute peace.

Yeltsin's alcoholism, which his associates present as a natural element of relaxation, only complements and aggravates the overall picture.

It is possible to make a forecast as to when exactly Russian leaders will begin to put Yeltsin on trial - right up to the removal of the official tombstone, in the form of a state flag, from his grave. Russia, in fact, is being squeezed harder and harder by the NATO bloc and its allies every year, which is also a direct consequence of Yeltsin’s foreign policy. Therefore, very soon they will be faced with a simple choice: either they will have to take responsibility on themselves or make Gorbachev, Yeltsin and all their entourage guilty (as they really are).

It is possible that this ideological reversal will occur immediately after the end of Putin’s last term. Therefore, Putin faces this task too: not to become one of Yeltsin’s supporters, to try to jump out of this echelon of death, in which, by the way, the Russian communists-Zyuganovites, who helped the reforms in practice, are guaranteed to go. One of the simple and obvious ways is to take on the historical assessment of the Yeltsin period.

If you look at the geopolitical space formed after the collapse of the USSR, the largest state in the post-Soviet space is the Russian Federation, whose territory is more than 17 million square meters. km with a population of about 150 million people. In the history of Russia, the 90s and early 2000s. occupy a special place. This is explained not only by those processes that are associated with integration phenomena within the CIS, but also by other, no less important factors of external and internal order. As for Russia today, by most parameters (except geopolitical and military), the Russian Federation has moved from the category of superpowers to the category of middle European powers due to a clear lag in the implementation of economic restructuring and many other indicators. According to the 1993 Constitution, B. N. Yeltsin, as President of Russia, was endowed with exceptional powers. Let's list some of them. He had the right to individually appoint deputy prime ministers and ministers and decide on the resignation of the entire government. He formed and headed the Russian Security Council, approved the military doctrine of the Russian Federation, appointed and dismissed the highest military command of the country's Armed Forces. He had the right to call elections of the State Duma and hold referendums. He had the right to sign and promulgate federal laws, managed foreign policy, signed international treaties, as well as instruments of ratification. He was also the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation and, if necessary, had the right to declare martial law throughout the country. In addition, President Yeltsin had the right to submit for approval the candidacy of the Chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, to submit for approval by the State Duma candidates for judges of all federal courts, such as the Arbitration Court, the Constitutional Court, the Supreme Court, as well as proposals for the appointment and dismissal of the Prosecutor General. He also had a number of other rights that unlimitedly expanded his ability to manage all aspects of the life of the Russian state. Since 1992, reforms have been carried out in Russia, which, unfortunately, did not produce the results that their initiators expected. In essence, the result of these reforms was a painful “shock therapy” for the people with very sad consequences for many Russians. During the years of market reforms associated with Yeltsin's presidency, the Russian economy entered into a deep and protracted economic crisis, which sharply worsened the level of well-being of citizens and weakened its position in world economic politics. The country's budget in these years is largely based on revenues from the sale of energy resources - oil and natural gas. External debt has increased sharply. At the same time, the country's exports began to decline noticeably. By the end of the 90s. The number of channels involving Russia in the functioning of the global financial system has increased significantly. There are 16 banks with 100% foreign capital operating in Russia. It is enough to note that, taking into account the presence of foreign shareholders, the share of foreign capital in the Russian economy only by the beginning of 1998 amounted to about 8%. In the military-political field, the situation during these years was also unfavorable, to say the least. Having taken full responsibility for Chechnya upon himself, B. N. Yeltsin was unable to essentially solve this problem until the end of his presidency, leaving his successor with a large burden of complex and intricate problems.

The assessment of the specific activities of B. N. Yeltsin in domestic and foreign media is ambiguous. Let's give some statements.

According to the figurative expression of one of the prominent Russian political scientists, the Yeltsin regime was based on the famous system of “checks” and “balances”, flavored with ordinary “palace” intrigues. But the further it went, the more this system began to fail. And not only due to Yeltsin’s growing physical weakness, but also the sharply narrowing, like “shagreen skin,” socio-political and even personnel base of the first Russian President." There are many similar assessments of Yeltsin’s activities in both domestic and foreign literature.

B. N. Yeltsin secured for himself the right to dissolve the State Duma, which is fundamentally new in the history of new Russian parliamentarism. Previously, the tsar had such a right in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Laws of the Empire of April 1906. Now, according to the Constitution, the State Duma can be dissolved in two cases. The first is three times non-approval of the candidacy of the chairman of the government proposed by the president. Which gives the president a very powerful instrument of pressure on the Duma. The second case is a situation when the government itself, as Yeltsin apparently believed at one time, at his own instigation, raises the question of trust before the Duma. Moreover, if it does not trust the government, it is dissolved immediately.

If, in this same aspect, we briefly characterize the results of the socio-economic policy of the Yeltsin team, they look as follows. Due to the continuing impoverishment of vast masses of the population, which intensified after August 17, 1998, inflation and rising prices due to wage freezes, and the ongoing influx of refugees and internally displaced persons into the country, the proportion of Russian residents below the “poverty line” is steadily increasing. The “new poor”, who never before, due to their education, professional training, social status, were and could not be poor (teachers, doctors, highly qualified workers, etc.), today make up half of the country’s population.

A no less “flattering” description is given to Yeltsin in a number of foreign publications, especially dedicated to the 70th anniversary of his birth. In general, both in our and in foreign media, an ambiguous assessment of the activities of B. N. Yeltsin is given, from approval to complete non-recognition of his merits. It should be borne in mind that these assessments are given without delay; over time, history will put everything in its place.

It was in such specific historical conditions that V.V. Putin was elected as the new President of Russia in 2000. The main task that confronted him from the first days of his presidency was to do everything possible to get Russia out of the protracted crisis and achieve it in the 21st century. her prosperity. This is an extremely difficult task facing the young President of the country, given that he inherited too heavy a “legacy.” Of course, today it is difficult to evaluate the activities of the new President: too little time has passed since the beginning of his presidential activities. And, nevertheless, today we can already observe new features in his practical activities. Putin's government, even before his election as President, was essentially the sixteenth Russian government in terms of personnel since 1991, and V.V. Putin himself became the ninth politician to serve as prime minister. It is well known that Boris Yeltsin’s attitude towards his prime ministers was very peculiar. As soon as the prime minister began to gain political weight and established closer relations with the Duma, he was immediately deprived of his post. Fortunately, this did not happen to V.V. Putin. Having become the President of the country, V.V. Putin immediately announced that the role of the government should increase sharply, and he would not allow leapfrog with government replacements. In 2000-2001 V.V. Putin has to act in extremely difficult conditions of both domestic and international life. The young President and his team were faced with an extremely difficult task - to take Russia away from the fatal line, beyond which an irreversible process could begin that could turn it into a second-rate country in all major socio-economic indicators. With the arrival of the country's new political leader, a real chance has emerged to end the era of social and political storms and to lead Russia onto the path of stable development and creation. The first steps of President V.V. Putin indicate that the new leadership of the country correctly understands the situation in the country and in the world and is trying to adequately solve priority problems. Whether the new leader of the country has enough wisdom, political will and culture to solve the problems facing the country - time will tell. He clearly defined his vision of these tasks in his addresses to the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation on July 8, 2000 and April 3, 2001.

The name of the first president of Russia is associated with many controversial events in the history of our country. Boris Yeltsin is associated with the restructuring of both the economy and the political system - the emergence of the democratic foundations of the modern Russian state.

Possessing twelve working specialties, Yeltsin proved himself as a political figure. Having climbed the party ladder, he did not simply leave the ranks of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Accusing the party's policies of conservatism, Yeltsin led the democratic opposition.

Taking into account the state of the country's economy, domestic and foreign political policies of that period, it is impossible to say unequivocally that the activities of the first Russian president had only negative aspects.

Positive aspects of the policy of the first president of Russia

Positive democratic transformations in the economic sphere have manifested themselves:

• Increasing the number of businessmen.
• In carrying out privatization.
• The emergence of new banks.
• The emergence of new areas of activity.

Russian citizens got the opportunity to work not for someone else, but for themselves personally. Many entrepreneurs have emerged in different sectors of the economy.

Positive constitutional and political changes can be judged by:

• Freedom of speech, abolition of censorship and control over the activities of creative people.
• Parliamentary elections ensuring the right of citizens to vote.
• The emergence of a multi-party system.
• Impeachment enshrined in law.

As an example of democratic freedoms for Russian citizens, the emergence of the opportunity to travel abroad without any special obstacles.

The active work of the first president of Russia to improve international relations was manifested in his personal meetings with world leaders. Friendly relations were established with the countries of America and Europe. A more respectful attitude towards Russia replaced fear of the USSR.

Carrying out global reforms in all spheres of state life, Yeltsin was able to avoid civil war– this is the main advantage of the president’s policy.

Negative aspects of the policy of the first president

The Yeltsin era, significant for Russia, is assessed by many as a revolutionary event. The reforms carried out were more experimental and were a constant threat of hunger and shortages.

Economic reforms have led to:

• To the emergence and growth of unemployment, one of the reasons for which is widespread job cuts and the closure of production and other institutions.
• To a default - the depreciation of the ruble, which the president was notified about, but which he did not recognize.
• To a sharp decline in the standard of living of Russians, even those who have jobs, but do not receive wages on time.

The Constitution issued in 1993 did not solve the problems of the internal political situation. Laws were not respected. This can be seen in the rampant corruption that was almost never seen before the Yeltsin era in the Soviet Union.

Doubts about the fairness of democratic elections arose among the people after Yeltsin was reappointed president in 1996.

Opportunities for easy money gave rise to “financial pyramids”. The situation in the country was worsened by thriving banditry and racketeering, from which even law enforcement agencies did not protect citizens. Moreover, law enforcement officials themselves violated the laws.

The declared freedom of speech closely intersected with contract killings and murders on a political basis. Artists, journalists, and free-thinking citizens were not protected from attacks and murders. During the Yeltsin era, many famous people in the country died at the hands of bandits and hired killers. As an example, we can talk about Vlad Listyev, a television reporter conducting political investigations. Young people and those who were among the unemployed joined gangster groups.

Lawlessness and lack of originality were common phenomena in the life of Russians of that time. The result of this situation was the shooting of parliament in 1993.

There was a mass exodus from Russia of creative people with enormous intellectual abilities. “Brain drain” comparable to post-revolutionary emigration of the early 20th century.

One of the most terrible consequences of the president’s reforms was declaration of war in Chechnya. Neither anti-war statements nor rallies against the war influenced Yeltsin's decision to send troops into the Chechen Republic, which resulted in thousands of deaths.

Military operations showed the complete incompetence of the command, the demoralization and meager equipment of the army. The president's reputation was damaged; he showed his inability to act in a critical situation.

The internal political situation was aggravated by the depreciation of the ruble in 1998 and the fall in oil prices on the international market. In May 1998, miners declared a “rail war.” Demands were made for the dissolution of the government, the State Duma and the resignation of Yeltsin. After the default, the government declared Russia bankrupt.

Due to economic and political crises that lasted for a long time, Russia in the 90s became uncompetitive in the international economic arena.

How can you evaluate the policy of the first resident of Russia?

There is no unambiguous assessment of not only the policy as a whole, but also its individual aspects. Thus, the collapse of the Soviet Union is not perceived by everyone as a negative result of Yeltsin’s activities.

The first president and his team understood the need to reform all areas of domestic and foreign policy. But the unsuccessful course they chose further aggravated the economic crisis. Having broken everything that was available, Yeltsin was unable to organize correctly and effectively the activities of the state in all spheres.

There is an opinion that the Russians were not ready to receive the freedom given to them by the president, and therefore the presidential government was unable to implement the reforms efficiently and effectively.

The policy of the first president was a turning point and a necessary moment on the path to the formation of Russia as a democratic state.

Years of life: 1931-2007

Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was at the head of Russia in 1991-1999. He was the first President of Russia - from June 12, 1991, in 1990-1991 he was Chairman of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, and in 1991-1992, as President, he was also the head of the Government of Russia.

The activities of B.N. Yeltsin are a bright page in the history of Russia. He did a lot of positive things towards reforming the country and building a truly democratic society. The Constitution of the Russian Federation, adopted in 1993, consolidated democratic transformations in the country. Of course, there were mistakes, miscalculations, and reforms that were not completed. However, Yeltsin will forever remain in the memory of the people as the first President of free Russia.

What are the main activities of B.N. Yeltsin and their results?

One of the main directions of domestic policy there was a reform of the economy, the establishment of market relations in the country. The start of reforms was given in 1991 at the 5th Congress of People's Deputies of the Russian Federation. “Shock therapy” is the name given to changes in the economy under Yeltsin, they were so unusual and rapid. This was the liberalization of prices, the privatization of enterprises and then land, tax and reasonable monopoly policies, the removal of restrictions on foreign trade - all contributed to changes in the economy. Serious changes also occurred in agriculture - the reorganization of collective and state farms began, joint-stock companies and independent peasant farms began to be created. For the first time, a foreign exchange market appeared and private banks were created. Laws were adopted in 1991: “On Property” and “On Enterprises and Entrepreneurial Activities”. However, one cannot fail to note the sharp inflation in the country. “Black Tuesday” was called October 11, 1994, when the ruble exchange rate sharply dropped.

The results of this activity there was a rapid decline in production. So industrial production fell by more than half by 1995. There was a sharp rise in prices - prices for consumer goods increased 26 times. There was a shortage of goods. Difficulties were associated with a sharp course towards reforms and the fact that disintegration was taking place, the curtailment of ties with the former republics of the USSR, which complicated the development of the economy. Thus, there were no significant positive changes in the country, but only increased social polarization in society.

Another important direction in domestic policy Yeltsin was in the social sphere. Improving the lives of the people became one of the main tasks of the President. However, here too there was more negative than positive. So, after the abolition of the universal obligation to work, a large number of unemployed people appeared, which led to their degradation; they joined the risk group. The emergence of such a phenomenon as unemployment required measures on the part of management. Unemployment benefits were introduced and labor exchanges were created. The constant growth of the cent forced compensation payments. For the first time, paid education and treatment appeared, many medical institutions were privatized. The state stopped providing free housing, the free sale of apartments appeared, and the privatization of property began.

Results of this activity are ambiguous, as they led to even deeper differentiation of the population, the gap between people with high incomes and a significant part of the population who were on the verge of poverty increased sharply. All this could not but cause social discontent.

The main direction in foreign policy was the preservation of peace, the establishment of mutually beneficial relations with countries. One of the most important documents of this time was the signing of the Declaration of the Russian Federation and the United States on the cessation of the Cold War” on February 1, 1992. Several arms reduction agreements were signed with the United States: OSVN-1 in 1991, OSNV-2 in 1993. In 1992, the Russian Federation joined the International Monetary Fund.

An important fact was that by 1994 all Soviet troops had been withdrawn from the countries of Eastern Europe, which stabilized relations with them.

The result of this activity was stabilization in international relations, strengthening of international trade, and the establishment of friendly relations with both Western countries and Eastern European countries.

In 1996, the Russian Federation signed the international Treaty on the General Ban of Nuclear Tests.

Since 1996, the G7 group has grown into the Big Eight, since the Russian Federation became a member of it (along with the USA, Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Japan), which was recognition of the international authority of the Russian Federation. Also in 1996, the Russian Federation joined the Council of Europe.

An important International program was the Partnership for Peace program, which the Russian Federation joined in 1994, and in 1997 signed the Founding Act. According to these documents, relations between the countries were built on a peaceful basis.

It was the establishment of friendly relations between the new free Russia and the countries of Western and Eastern Europe, the creation of guarantees for the peaceful coexistence of countries.

The next direction in foreign policy there was the establishment of ties with the former republics of the USSR - the CIS. It was necessary to peacefully delimit the economy, form new relations in the post-Soviet space and create all the conditions for integration, especially in the economy, since ties in this area were quite strong.

For this purpose, in 1992, the CIS Charter was adopted, regulating relations between countries, and authorities were established: the Council of Heads of State of the CIS, the Council of Heads of Government. The division of the Armed Forces was completed, and since 1994, a course has been set for economic integration: the Customs Union (RF, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, Belarus) was created, establishing a preferential regime for the movement of goods across the border. In all these events, Yeltsin B.N. took an active part, often being an initiator.

The result of this activity was the strengthening of relations with countries - former republics of the USSR, integration in all spheres of public life.

Thus, the activities of B.N. Yeltsin, the first President of Russia, were contradictory. On the one hand, there is bright, positive activity in the international arena, which has contributed to strengthening Russia’s authority and improving the international situation; on the other hand, there are contradictory policies within the country, a weakening of the economy, and increased social polarization. It is no coincidence that in October 1993 a coup was being prepared, as a result of which they wanted to remove Yeltsin from office. The years of his reign are called the “dashing nineties.” Discontent in the country grew. The country was expecting more radical changes. These changes will be implemented by Yeltsin’s successor, V.V. Putin.

When writing a historical essay, you can use the material from an article about who began economic reforms under Boris Yeltsin.

First President of the Russian Federation

Soviet party and Russian political and statesman, 1st President of Russia. Elected President 2 times - June 12, 1991 and July 3, 1996, held this position from July 10, 1991 to December 31, 1999.

Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was born on February 1, 1931 in the Sverdlovsk region, the village of Butka, Talitsky district.

Yeltsin - biography

Father, Nikolai Ignatievich, worked as a carpenter. During the years of repression, he was imprisoned allegedly for anti-Soviet statements. Boris's mother, Klavdia Vasilievna - nee Starygina.

Boris was the eldest of her two children.

Boris Yeltsin studied well at school, according to him, but after the 7th grade was expelled from school for bad behavior, however, he achieved (by reaching the city party committee) that he was allowed to enter the 8th grade at another school.

In the army B.N. Yeltsin did not serve due to health reasons: as a child he was injured and lost 2 fingers on his hand.

In 1955, B. Yeltsin graduated from the Ural Polytechnic Institute. CM. Kirova - Faculty of Civil Engineering, majoring in civil engineering. At first he worked as an ordinary foreman, gradually advancing in his career to the position of head of the DSK.

In 1956, Boris Yeltsin started a family, choosing his classmate Naina Iosifovna Girina (baptized Anastasia) as his wife. She is a civil engineer by training, from 1955 to 1985. worked at the Sverdlovsk Institute “Vodokanalproekt” as an engineer, senior engineer, and chief project engineer.

A year later, in 1958, a daughter, Elena, was born into the Yeltsin family. In 1960 - 2nd daughter Tatyana.

The year 1961 is significant for Boris Nikolaevich in that he joined the ranks of the CPSU.

Boris Yeltsin - career in the party

In 1968, his party work began: Yeltsin took the position of head of the construction department in the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee of the CPSU.

1975 - further advancement up the party ladder: B.N. Yeltsin was elected secretary of the regional committee of the CPSU of Sverdlovsk, he became responsible for the development of industry in the region.

In 1981, at the XXVI Congress of the CPSU, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was elected a member of the CPSU Central Committee, he headed the construction department, in this position B.N. Yeltsin worked until 1990.

In 1976 – 1985 He returned to the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee of the CPSU to the post of 1st Secretary.

In 1978 – 1989 B.N. Yeltsin was elected deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR.

In 1981, Boris Nikolaevich gave his first and last name to his grandson, since Boris Yeltsin had no sons, which threatened to interrupt the family line.

In 1984, Yeltsin became a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR - until 1988.

He went to work in Moscow in June 1985 as Secretary of the CPSU Central Committee for construction issues.

From December 1985 to November 1987 he worked as 1st Secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU.

In October 1987, at the plenum of the Central Committee B Yeltsin comes out with harsh criticism of M. Gorbachev and the party leadership. The Plenum condemned Yeltsin's speech, and soon after that Boris Nikolayevich was transferred to the position of deputy head of Gosstroy, lower in rank than the 1st Secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU.

In March 1989, B.N. Yeltsin was elected people's deputy of the USSR.

In 1990, Boris Yeltsin became a people's deputy of the RSFSR, and in July of the same year he was elected chairman of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR, and he left the CPSU.

Yeltsin President of the Russian Federation

On June 12, 1991, B.N. Yeltsin was elected President of the Russian Federation. After his election, B. Yeltsin’s main slogans were the fight against the privileges of the nomenklatura and the independence of Russia from the USSR.

On July 10, 1991, Boris Yeltsin took the oath of allegiance to the people of Russia and the Russian Constitution, and took office as president of the RSFSR.

In August 1991, the confrontation between Yeltsin and the putschists began, which led to a proposal to ban the activities of the Communist Party, and on August 19, Boris Yeltsin made a famous speech from a tank, in which he read out a decree on the illegitimate activities of the State Emergency Committee. The putsch is defeated, the activities of the CPSU are completely prohibited.

On November 12, 1991, the Medal of Democracy, established by the International Association of Political Consultants, was awarded to B.N. Yeltsin for democratic transformations in Russia.

In December 1991, the USSR officially ceased to exist: in Belovezhskaya Pushcha, Boris Yeltsin, Leonid Kravchuk (President of Ukraine) and Stanislav Shushkevich (President of Belarus) create and sign an agreement on the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS). Soon the majority of the union republics joined the Commonwealth, signing the Alma-Ata Declaration on December 21.

December 25, 1991 B.N. Yeltsin received full presidential power in Russia in connection with the resignation of USSR President Mikhail Gorbachev and the actual collapse of the USSR.

1992 – 1993 - a new stage in the construction of the Russian state - privatization has begun, economic reform is being carried out, supported by President B.N. Yeltsin.

In September-October 1993, a confrontation between Boris Yeltsin and the Supreme Council began, which led to the dissolution of parliament. There were riots in Moscow, the peak of which occurred on October 3-4, supporters of the Supreme Council seized the television center, the situation was brought under control only with the help of tanks.

In 1994, the 1st Chechen War began, which led to a huge number of casualties among both civilians and military personnel, as well as among law enforcement officers.

In May 1996, Boris Yeltsin was forced to sign an order in Khasavyurt to withdraw troops from Chechnya, which theoretically meant the end of the first Chechen war.

Yeltsin - years of rule

In the same year, the first term of B.N.’s presidency ended. Yeltsin, and he began the election campaign for a second term. More than 1 million signatures were submitted in support of Yeltsin. The campaign slogan is “Vote or lose.” As a result of the 1st round of elections, B.N. Yeltsin gets 35.28% of the votes. Yeltsin's main competitor in the elections is the communist G.A. Zyuganov. But after the second round with a result of 53.82% of the votes, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin was elected President of the Russian Federation for a second term.

On November 5, 1996, B. Yeltsin went to the clinic, where he underwent heart surgery - coronary artery bypass grafting.

In 1998 and 1999 in Russia, as a result of unsuccessful economic policy, a default occurs, then a government crisis. At Yeltsin's instigation, Prime Minister Viktor Chernomyrdin, Sergei Kiriyenko, Yevgeny Primakov, and Sergei Stepashin resigned, after which in August 1999, Secretary of the Security Council Vladimir Putin was appointed acting chairman of the government of the Russian Federation.

On December 31, 1999, in a New Year's address to the people of Russia, Boris Yeltsin announced his early resignation. Prime Minister V.V. has been entrusted with the temporary duties of head of state. Putin, who provides Yeltsin and his family with guarantees of complete security.


After his resignation, Boris Nikolaevich and his family settled in a resort village near Moscow - Barvikha.

On April 23, 2007, Boris Nikolaevich Yeltsin died in the Central Clinical Hospital of Moscow from cardiac arrest and was buried at the Novodevichy Cemetery.
He was married once, had 2 daughters, 5 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Wife - Naina Iosifovna Yeltsina (Girina) (baptized Anastasia). Daughters - Elena Okulova (married to the acting general director of the joint stock company Aeroflot - Russian International Airlines) and Tatyana Dyachenko (has a military rank - colonel, in 1997 she was an adviser to the president).

Results of Yeltsin's reign

B.N. Yeltsin is historically noted as the first popularly elected President of Russia, a transformer of the country's political structure, a radical reformer of Russia's economic course. Known for the unique decision to ban the CPSU, the course of refusal to build socialism, the decisions to dissolve the Supreme Council, he is famous for the storming of the Government House in Moscow in 1993 with the use of armored vehicles and the military campaign in Chechnya.

Political scientists and the media characterized Yeltsin as an extraordinary person, unpredictable in behavior, eccentric, power-hungry; his tenacity and cunning were also noted. Opponents of Boris Nikolayevich argued that he was characterized by cruelty, cowardice, rancor, deceit, and a low intellectual and cultural level.

In assessments of critics of the Yeltsin regime, his period of rule is often referred to as Yeltsinism. Boris Yeltsin, as president, was criticized in connection with the general negative trends in the country's development in the 1990s: a recession in the economy, the state's refusal of social obligations, a sharp decline in living standards, worsening social problems and a decrease in population in connection with this. In the second half of the 90s, he was often accused of transferring the main levers of economic management into the hands of a group of influential entrepreneurs - oligarchs and the corrupt top of the state apparatus, and his entire economic policy boiled down to lobbying the interests of one or another group of people depending on their influence.

By the end of 1992, the division of the country's inhabitants into rich and poor sharply increased. Almost half of Russia's population found itself below the poverty line.
By 1996, industrial production had decreased by 50%, and agriculture by a third. The loss of gross domestic product amounted to approximately 40%.
By 1999, unemployment in Russia had grown greatly and affected 9 million people.

The presidents of Ukraine, Belarus and Russia signed the Belovezhskaya Agreement on December 8, 1991. This was done in spite of the referendum on the preservation of the USSR, which took place the day before - March 17, 1991. This agreement, according to Yeltsin's opponents, destroyed the USSR and caused bloody conflicts in Chechnya, South Ossetia, Abkhazia, Transnistria, Nagorno-Karabakh and Tajikistan.

The deployment of troops into Chechnya began on December 11, 1994, after Yeltsin’s decree “On measures to suppress the activities of illegal armed groups on the territory of the Chechen Republic and in the zone of the Ossetian-Ingush conflict.” As a result of the ill-considered actions of Russia's political elite, large casualties occurred among both military and civilians: tens of thousands of people died and hundreds of thousands were injured. Subsequent actions by Chechen militants, aimed at even wider expansion in the North Caucasus, forced Yeltsin to resume hostilities in Chechnya in September 1999, which resulted in a full-scale war.

The protests of citizens on the streets that followed the storming of the Moscow City Hall and the Ostankino television center by Rutsky's supporters on October 3 were brutally suppressed. Troops were brought into Moscow in the early morning of October 4, and 123 people died on both sides (more than 1.5 thousand people - according to the opposition). These events became a black spot in the modern history of Russia.

To introduce the principles of a market economy, economic reforms began in January 1992 with price liberalization. In the country, in just a few days, prices for food and essential goods increased many times over, a huge number of enterprises went bankrupt, and citizens’ deposits in state banks became worthless. A confrontation began between the president and the Congress of People's Deputies, which sought to amend the constitution to limit the rights of the president.

In August 1998, default broke out, a financial crisis caused by the government's inability to meet its debt obligations. The three-fold fall in the ruble exchange rate led to the collapse of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises and the destruction of the emerging middle class. The banking sector was almost completely destroyed. However, the following year the economic situation was stabilized. This was facilitated by an increase in oil prices on world markets, which made it possible to gradually begin payments on external debt. One of the consequences of the crisis was the revival of the activities of domestic industrial enterprises, which replaced on the domestic market products that were previously purchased abroad.

A sharp deterioration in the demographic situation in Russia began in 1992. One of the reasons for the population decline was the government's reduction in social support for the population. The incidence of AIDS has increased 60 times, and infant mortality has doubled.

But still, despite such negative assessments of the rule of this leader, Yeltsin’s memory is immortalized.

On April 23, 2008, a solemn opening ceremony of the monument to Boris Nikolayevich Yeltsin took place at the Novodevichy cemetery in Moscow, and at the same time the Ural State Technical University was named after Boris Yeltsin.

B.N. Yeltsin wrote 3 books:
1990 - “Confession on a given topic”
1994 - “Notes of the President”
2000 - “Presidential Marathon”, became a laureate of the International Literary Award “Capri-90”.

At one time, it was fashionable among Russian officials to engage in one of Yeltsin’s favorite pastimes—playing tennis.

Yeltsin was an Honorary Citizen. Kazan, Yerevan (Armenia), Samara region, Turkmenistan, awarded in 1981 the Order of Lenin, the Order of the Badge of Honor, and two Orders of the Red Banner of Labor.

On November 12, 1991, B.N. Yeltsin was awarded the Medal of Democracy, established in 1982, by the International Association of Political Consultants, had the highest state award of Italy - the Order of the Knight Grand Cross, and was a Knight of the Order of Malta.

Boris Yeltsin was the first President of Russia. He was a strong leader, although he made many tactical blunders in his position. For eight years this man led a huge country and tried to lead it out of the crisis.

Job in Moscow

In 1968, Boris Yeltsin began his party career. A graduate of the Ural Polytechnic named after Kirov became the head of the construction department. Success in political service provided him with a quick breakthrough in his career. In 1984, Boris Nikolaevich was already a member of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR. From 1985-1987 served as First Secretary of the Moscow City Committee of the CPSU.

In 1987, at the plenum of the Supreme Council, he criticized the activities of the current leader Mikhail Gorbachev. He was demoted to the position of deputy head of Gosstroy. In 1989, Yeltsin became a people's deputy of the USSR Supreme Council.

In 1990, he became Chairman of the Supreme Council of the RSFSR.

1991 presidential election

On March 17, 1991, a referendum was held in the USSR. On the agenda were the issue of introducing the post of president and the item on maintaining the status of the USSR. Purposeful and uncompromising Boris Yeltsin decided to run as a candidate for the presidency. His competitors in this race were pro-government candidate Nikolai Ryzhkov and Vladimir Zhirinovsky.

On June 12, 1991, the first presidential elections were held. B. N. Yeltsin was elected by a majority of votes. The reign of the first leader of Russia was originally supposed to be 5 years. Since the country was in a deep political and economic crisis, no one knew how long in real life the new president would last in office. A. Rutskoy was elected vice-president. He and Yeltsin were supported by the Democratic Russia bloc.

On July 10, 1991, Boris Yeltsin took an oath to serve his people faithfully. Mikhail Gorbachev remained the President of the USSR. Dual power did not suit the ambitious Yeltsin, although many researchers and politicians argue that the final goal of the new Russian leader was the collapse of the Union. Perhaps it was a political order that he carried out brilliantly.

August putsch

The years of Boris Yeltsin's reign were marked by significant unrest at the top of the state. Members of the CPSU did not want a change in leadership and understood that with the arrival of a new leader, the collapse of the USSR and their removal from power was not far off. Yeltsin harshly criticized the nomenklatura circles and repeatedly accused senior leaders of corruption.

Gorbachev and President Yeltsin, whose reign had been unstable, discussed the cornerstones of their cooperation and decided to eliminate the USSR politically. For this purpose, it was decided to create a confederation - the Union of Sovereign Soviet Republics. On August 20, this document was to be signed by the leaders of all union republics.

The State Emergency Committee launched active activities on August 18-21, 1991. During Gorbachev’s stay in Crimea, a temporary state body, the State Emergency Committee, was created, and a state of emergency was introduced in the country. The population was informed about this on the radio. The Democratic forces led by Yeltsin and Rutsky began to resist the old party elite.

The conspirators had some support in the army and the KGB. They pulled up some separate groups of troops to bring them into the capital. Meanwhile, President of the RSFSR Yeltsin was on a business trip. Opponents of the collapse of the Union decided to detain him upon arrival as far as possible from the White House. Other putschists decided to go to Gorbachev, convince him to introduce a state of emergency by his decree and appeal to the people.

On August 19, the media announced the resignation of M. Gorbachev for health reasons, acting. O. Gennady Yanaev was appointed president.

Yeltsin and his supporters were supported by the opposition radio Ekho Moskvy. The Alpha detachment arrived at the president's dacha, but there was no order to block him or take him into custody, so Boris Nikolaevich was able to mobilize all his supporters.

Yeltsin arrives at the White House, and local rallies begin in Moscow. Ordinary democratically minded citizens are trying to resist the State Emergency Committee. The protesters built barricades in the square and dismantled paving stones. Tanks without ammunition and 10 infantry fighting vehicles were driven to the square.

On the 21st, mass clashes began, three citizens died. The conspirators were arrested, and Boris Yeltsin, whose years of rule were tense from the very beginning, dissolved the CPSU and nationalized the party's property. The putschist plan failed.

As a result, in December 1991, secretly from M. Gorbachev, the Bialowieza Agreements were signed, putting an end to the USSR and giving rise to new independent republics.

1993 crisis

In September 1993, former comrades quarreled. B. N. Yeltsin, whose years of rule were very difficult in the initial period, understood that the opposition in the person of Vice-President A. Rutsky and the Supreme Council of the RSFSR was doing its best to slow down new economic reforms. In this regard, B. Yeltsin issued decree 1400 - on the dissolution of the Armed Forces. A decision was made to hold new elections to the Federal Assembly.

Naturally, such a monopolization of power caused protest among members of the Supreme Council. As usual, equipment was brought to the capital and people were brought out into the streets. Several attempts were made to impeach the president, but Yeltsin ignored the legislation. Supporters of the Armed Forces were dispersed, opposition leaders were arrested. As a result of the clashes, according to various sources, about 200 people were killed and more than a thousand were injured.

After the victory of Boris Yeltsin and his supporters in Russia there was a transitional period of presidential dictatorship. All government bodies connecting Russia with the USSR were liquidated.

Socio-economic reforms of B. Yeltsin

Many economists and politicians, looking back at the years of Yeltsin's rule in Russia, call his policies chaotic and stupid. There was no single clear plan. For the first few years, the state was generally in a political crisis, which eventually resulted in the 1993 coup.

Many of the ideas of the president and his supporters were promising, but in implementing them according to the old monopolized system, Yeltsin ran into many pitfalls. As a result, the reform of the state led to a protracted crisis in the economic sphere, loss of deposits from the population and complete distrust of the authorities.

The main reforms of President Yeltsin:

• price liberalization, free market;
• land reform - transfer of land into private hands;
• privatization;
• reforming political power.

First Chechen War

In 1991, the independent Republic of Ichkeria was formed on the territory of Chechnya. This state of affairs did not suit Russia. Dzhokhar Dudayev became the president of the new independent republic. The Russian Supreme Court declared the elections invalid. The victory of the separatist forces led to the collapse of the Chechen-Ingush Republic. Ingushetia decided to remain autonomous within Russia. Based on this desire, Boris Yeltsin, whose years of rule had already been washed by rivers of blood, decided to send troops during the Ossetian-Ingush conflict of 1992. Chechnya was actually an independent state, not recognized by anyone. There was actually a civil war going on in the country. In 1994, Yeltsin decided to send troops to restore order in the Chechen People's Republic. As a result, the armed conflict with the use of Russian troops lasted two years.

Second presidential term

The second presidential term was extremely difficult for Boris Yeltsin. Firstly, constant heart problems were taking their toll, and secondly, the country was on the verge of a crisis, which the “sick” president did not have the strength to cope with. The newly elected president placed his bet on “political youth” in the person of Chubais and Nemtsov. Their active implementation of the reform course did not lead to the expected increase in GDP; the country lived off multi-billion dollar loans. In 1998, Yeltsin, whose years of rule were not successful for the state, began to look for a successor. This was the unknown head of the FSB, V. Putin.

Resignation

In 1998, B. Yeltsin’s “sand” economy collapsed. Default, price increases, job cuts, total instability, shutdown of large enterprises. The virtual market economy could not withstand the harsh realities. Having chosen a worthy candidate for his post and having secured V. Putin’s commitment to a comfortable old age, the first President of Russia, speaking in front of television viewers, resigned.