Idk how it was commonly understood, but it seems to me like the referendum was whether to remain as a single body or not, not whether to keep the USSR. It would've transitioned into a capitalist liberal democracy regardless. The wording on the referendum very heavily hints at that at least.
Idk how it was commonly understood, but it seems to me like the referendum was whether to remain as a single body or not, not whether to keep the USSR. It would've transitioned into a capitalist liberal democracy regardless. The wording on the referendum very heavily hints at that at least.
Yeah most countries remained as part of the Community of Independent States, a no visa passport only union.