How are the events you listed a consequence of too much free markets? You just proved my point with your examples. Collapse of the Soviet Union was literally a direct consequence of failed central planing. It didn't work that is way it collapsed, hence crash in standard of living. Pyramid schemes were also very popular in the eastern European countries before the fall of communism as well.

And what replaced central planning in those countries, and proved unable to stop the crash?

The various Soviet republics each tried differing approaches. The most free market one was Poland's, and Poland had the most success with it.

That is interesting to hear and would be worth looking into.