alternatehistory.com

How much of a role do you think that World War II and its aftermath had in the eventual breakup of the USSR?

A couple of users here have suggested that without WWII and its aftermath (specifically holding an empire in Eastern Europe and fighting a Cold War against the U.S.), the USSR would have likely survived and avoided breaking up:

https://www.alternatehistory.com/fo...t-the-fall-of-france-50-years-earlier.409620/

What I'm wondering is this--do you agree with this sentiment? Indeed, do you think that the Soviet collapse and break-up would likely be completely avoided in a TL where there is either no Soviet involvement or a much smaller Soviet involvement in World War II (both of which can be done by avoiding the Fall of France in 1940)?
Top