Definition

1. Noun:
   • A constituent political state within the historical Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR): A "soviet socialist republic" was an administrative and nominally sovereign unit that, together with other such republics, formed the federal structure of the USSR from 1922 to 1991. Each republic was defined primarily by the dominant ethnic group within its territory.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was a founding member of the USSR.
  • By 1991, all fifteen soviet socialist republics had declared independence.
  • The constitution of each soviet socialist republic granted it the theoretical right to secede.

Advanced Usage

• "The Soviet Socialist Republics": Used collectively to refer to all the constituent republics of the USSR.
  • The flags of the Soviet Socialist Republics were displayed alongside the flag of the Soviet Union.

Variants and Related Words

• SSR: The common abbreviation for "soviet socialist republic".
  • The Armenian SSR was established in 1936.
• Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR/Soviet Union): The federal state composed of multiple soviet socialist republics.
• Republic: A broader term for a state with an elected government, of which an SSR was a specific type.

Synonyms

• Constituent republic (of the USSR)
• Union republic (the formal term used within the Soviet system)

Related Phrases

• To declare sovereignty/independence: A common historical action taken by the soviet socialist republics.
  • The soviet socialist republic began the process of leaving the Union by first declaring sovereignty.

Noun

1. one of the states that formerly made up the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (1922-1991)