Explore the factors leading to the collapse of communism in Europe and the subsequent global challenges in this 41-minute lecture from Yale University's European Civilization course. Examine the roles of nationalism, democratic opposition movements, and economic crisis in the disintegration of the Soviet Union, as well as Mikhail Gorbachev's impact on reform. Delve into the dissolution of the Soviet system in Eastern European satellite states and analyze the emergence of ethnic nationalism in the Balkans. Investigate the effects of globalization and Americanization on Europe, the challenges of immigration within the European Union, and compare human rights issues in Europe and the United States. Gain insights into the complex geopolitical landscape that emerged following the end of the Cold War era.