The Revolutions of 1989 - 1992 (sometimes called the Fall of Nations or the Autumn of Nations) refers to a revolutionary wave that occurred near the end of the 20th century. Unlike other revolutionary waves, it did not result in major progressive changes or the creation of left-wing governments. It coincided with the rise of neoliberal economics entering a much stronger phase and the birth of the early internet. As a result of the revolutionary wave, a lot of government corruption and conspiracies were also exposed.
Revolutions
- 1989: Riots break out across Benin when the government did not have enough money to pay its army. The banking system collapsed and Marxism–Leninism was abolished as the nation's form of government in favour of a representative democracy.
- November 1989: Following the fall of Marxist-Leninism, Czechoslovakia becomes a representative democracy during the Velvet Revolution.
- November 1989: Following the fall of Marxist-Leninism, Bulgaria becomes a representative democracy.
- May 1990: In the aftermath of the 8888 Uprising, the government of Myanmar abandons its military socialist government and creates a representative democracy.
- July 1990: Belarus leaves the USSR and becomes an independent state with a representative democracy.
- October 1990: The Mass Uprising begins in Bangladesh against the authoritarian government and workers and student strike and riot, resulting in the fall of the government and creation of a representative democracy.
- December 1990: Following the fall of Marxist-Leninism, Albania becomes a representative democracy. Although The Communist Party of Albania wins elections and remains in power until 1992.
- 1990: Cape Verde abandons its Marxist-Leninist government and creates a representative democracy.
- 1990: Chad's dictator falls as a rebel Christian groups takes over with Libya's help.
- 1990: Hundreds of civil servants in the Ivory Coast went on strike, joined by students protesting institutional corruption. The unrest forced the government to support multiparty democracy.
- 1990: The Pinochet Regime falls in Chile, paving the way to a representative democracy.
- 1991: The Breakup of Yugoslavia begins, leading to the fall of Europe's last socialist state in one of the most violent and racist conflicts since World War II, the conflict lasts until 2001.
- May 1991: Marxist-Leninism falls in Angola as the government becomes a representative democracy and reaches a temporary peace deal with the rebels to end the ongoing civil war. However, the deal collapse after the rebels begin to fight the government after losing the election.
- September 1991: Armenia leaves the USSR to become an independent state and becomes a representative democracy.
- October 1991: The Djiboutian Civil War begins between two ethnic groups.
- December 1991: Azerbaijan leaves the USSR and becomes an independent state with a representative democracy.
- December 1991: The Algerian Civil War begins between two Islamist groups and the government.
- 1991: Estonia becomes independent from the USSR.
- 1991: Ethiopia abandons its Marxist-Leninist government and creates a representative democracy.
- 1992: Cambodia abandons its Marxist-Leninist government and returns to a representative democracy.
- 1992: Pro-democracy activists convince the government of the Central African Republic to hold elections.
- 1992: Following the fall of Marxist-Leninism, the Republic of the Congo becomes a representative democracy.
Uprisings, Strikes and Other Events
- 1989: The USSR withdraws from Afghanistan, ensuring a victory for the Taliban.
- April 1989: Several political scandals begin to unveil themselves in Belgium ranging from simple corruption to assassinations to potential sex trafficking rings.
- April 1989: The Pittston Coal Miners' Strike begins, being one of the last successful miner's strikes in US history.
- June 1989: The Tiananmen Square Massacre occurs in China as the army shoots workers and students protesting for greater democracy.
- August 1989: The Australian Pilots' Dispute begins, being the last large-scale strike in Australian history as pilots attempt to go on strike against long hours and low pay, leading to the government using air force pilots as scabs to help prop up Australia's tourism industry.
- 1989: Massive riots break out across Argentina in response to an economic crisis involving hyperinflations and shortages of consumer goods.
- July 1990: The Oka Uprising occurs, the first of several armed indigenous revolts against the Canadian government.
- 1990: The Guns for Antigua conspiracy is exposed, where the government of Antigua and Barbuda had been selling off surplus military supplies to drug cartels in Colombia.
- 1991: The Special Period begins in Cuba.
- 1991: The Dili Massacre occurs in East Timor.
- January 1992: The Salvadoran Civil War ends.
- 1990: Economic crisis in Finland.