On January 31, 1990, the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant chain opened its first franchise in Moscow, Russia, then the capital of the Soviet Union.
When it opened in 1990, the Moscow McDonald's, where this woman worked, was the largest fast-food restaurant in the world. Today, that honor is held by a London McDonald's.
On January 31, 1990, the McDonald’s fast-food restaurant chain opened its first franchise in Moscow, Russia, then the capital of the Soviet Union. Customers waited in line for hours to get a taste of an American hamburger—a “Bolshoi Mac.” The appearance of this notorious symbol of capitalism and its enthusiastic reception were signs that times were changing in the communist Soviet Union.
The opening of the Moscow McDonald’s is an example of globalization. Globalization is a process of exchanging ideas and popular culture around the world. Along with the fall of the Berlin Wall a year earlier, the opening of an American restaurant in the capital of the United States’ rival superpower was recognized as an indication of the weakening of the Soviet Union’s power and influence.
(1961-1989) barrier erected by East Germany that divided the city of Berlin into halves controlled by East Germany and West Germany.
city where a region's government is located.
economic system where the free exchange of goods and services is controlled by individuals and groups, not the state.
system where the distribution of goods and services, as well as prices, are largely determined by the government. Also called a managed economy.
connection of different parts of the world resulting in the expansion of international cultural, economic, and political activities.
to encourage or persuade a person or organization to act a certain way.
extremely powerful nation or country.