Boris Yeltsin, born on February 1, 1931, in Butka, Sverdlovsk Oblast, was a significant figure in Russian and global politics during the late 20th century. He rose to prominence during the dissolution of the Soviet Union and became Russia's first President, serving from 1991 to 1999. His leadership during this transitional period was marked by profound political and economic changes, some of which had long-lasting impacts on Russia and its people.

Yeltsin studied at the Ural Polytechnic Institute and initially pursued a career in construction before entering politics in the 1960s. He joined the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU) and gradually climbed its ranks. By the 1970s, Yeltsin had gained significant influence and was appointed the head of the Sverdlovsk Regional Committee, a key position within the Soviet hierarchy.

In the 1980s, Yeltsin moved to Moscow, where his career took a dramatic turn. He was appointed to key positions in the CPSU by Mikhail Gorbachev, the General Secretary at the time. However, Yeltsin grew increasingly critical of the slow pace of reforms under Gorbachev’s leadership, especially with respect to economic liberalization and political openness (glasnost). In 1987, his vocal opposition led to his removal from the Politburo.

Yeltsin's political career experienced a resurgence as public discontent with the Soviet regime grew. By 1990, he had become a key figure in the movement for greater Russian sovereignty within the Soviet Union. He was elected the Chairman of the Russian Supreme Soviet, the country's legislative body, and in 1991, he became the first popularly elected President of the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic (RSFSR).

One of Yeltsin’s defining moments came in August 1991 during the attempted coup by hardline Communists aiming to reverse Gorbachev’s reforms. Yeltsin famously stood atop a tank outside the Russian parliament building, calling for resistance to the coup. His defiance became a symbol of the collapse of Soviet authoritarianism. Following the failed coup, the Soviet Union quickly dissolved, and Yeltsin emerged as the leader of the newly independent Russian Federation.

Yeltsin's presidency was characterized by dramatic reforms aimed at transitioning Russia from a command economy to a market-oriented one. This process, often referred to as "shock therapy," involved rapid privatization and liberalization. While it was intended to jumpstart the economy, it also led to severe economic hardship for many Russians, including hyperinflation, mass unemployment, and the concentration of wealth among a small group of oligarchs.

Politically, Yeltsin faced numerous challenges, including the 1993 constitutional crisis, where he dissolved the Russian parliament and faced an armed uprising, which he ultimately crushed with military force. Despite these conflicts, he succeeded in pushing through a new constitution that granted the president significant powers.

Yeltsin's health and popularity declined in the later years of his presidency, particularly after the 1998 Russian financial crisis. Facing increasing political opposition and public dissatisfaction, Yeltsin unexpectedly resigned on December 31, 1999, naming Vladimir Putin as his successor. His resignation marked the end of an era in Russian politics, and Putin's ascent signaled a shift away from the chaotic democracy of the Yeltsin years toward a more centralized and controlled political environment.

Yeltsin passed away on April 23, 2007, and his legacy remains controversial. While he is credited with dismantling the Soviet system and introducing democratic reforms, his presidency is also associated with economic hardship, political instability, and the rise of the oligarchs. Nevertheless, Yeltsin's role in shaping post-Soviet Russia is undeniable.

REFERENCE:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Yeltsin