The Soviet Union, like any complex nation, is intertwined upon itself.
When elements of the Soviet Union began to fall, notably its economic system, it could no longer supports its citizenry. While this was not a problem in the 20s and 30s, the people of the Soviet Union knew how people were living outside of the Soviet Union and the allure of communism was no longer enough to keep their bellies full at night.
So, as elements failed like the currency it triggered reactions in every other sector of the Soviet system.
