The Soviet Union prioritized investing heavily in its military and weapons for several reasons. Firstly, they wanted to ensure their national security and be prepared for potential conflicts with other countries, particularly the United States and its allies. Additionally, the Soviet leadership believed in the ideology of Marxist-Leninism and saw building up their military as essential for protecting and spreading communism worldwide.
This focus on the military and neglect of other sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and consumer goods, ultimately led to a number of negative consequences. The Soviet economy became increasingly inefficient and unproductive, as resources were directed towards the military at the expense of other industries. This resulted in shortages of consumer goods, low living standards for the general population, and a lack of innovation and technological advancement.
Furthermore, the heavy spending on the military contributed to the worsening economic situation in the Soviet Union, ultimately playing a role in the country's eventual collapse in 1991. The focus on military build-up also strained relations with other countries and exacerbated Cold War tensions, leading to increased global instability.
Why did the Soviet Union spend money on the military and weapons and neglect the rest of the economy? What did this lead to?
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