Soviet of the Union
History
The Soviet Union, officially known as the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR), was a federal socialist state in northern Eurasia that existed from 1922 to 1991. The Soviet of the Union was one of the two chambers of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR, the highest legislative body in the country. The other chamber was the Soviet of Nationalities.
The Soviet of the Union was established by the 1936 Constitution of the USSR, also known as the Stalin Constitution. The Soviet of the Union and the Soviet of Nationalities had the same rights and powers, with each republic of the USSR represented equally in the Soviet of the Union.
Composition
The Soviet of the Union was composed of deputies representing the union republics, autonomous republics, autonomous oblasts, autonomous okrugs, krais, oblasts, federal cities, and the armed forces of the USSR. Each constituency had the same number of deputies regardless of its population, ensuring equal representation for all territories.
Elections
Elections for the Soviet of the Union were held every four years. All citizens of the USSR who were 18 years of age or older were eligible to vote, with the exception of prisoners and those deemed mentally unfit. The elections were conducted by secret ballot, and the candidates were nominated by the Communist Party, trade unions, youth organizations, and other public organizations.
Functions and Powers
The Soviet of the Union had the authority to:
- Pass laws, in conjunction with the Soviet of Nationalities.
- Approve the five-year plans for the national economy.
- Elect the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet, which acted as the collective head of state.
- Elect the Council of Ministers, which acted as the government.
- Elect the Procurator General, who was responsible for the supervision of legality.
- Ratify treaties with foreign countries.
Dissolution
The Soviet of the Union, along with the rest of the Supreme Soviet, was dissolved following the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. The dissolution marked the end of the Cold War and left the United States as the world's sole superpower.