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Question

When Mikhail Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985, he acknowledged faults within the communist system and set out a new plan for political reform-perestroika. He aimed to renew the Soviet Union, but perestroika resulted in changes that altered the country beyond recognition.
orbachev was a child of communism, the first leader
of the USSR to have been born aher the revolution (see pp.376-77). He did not question Lenin's view that communism could only be achieved through disciplined, central organization, but aimed to address failings elsewhere in the Soviet system. Through perestroika (restructuring) he attempted to streamline the Soviet Communist Party (CPSU). Gorbachev also recognized that state repression of those who criticized the CPSU had created problems in Soviet society. He pledged a new openness-glasnost-
in changes that altered the country beyond recognition.
in political affairs; exiled intellectuals were allowed to return and political debate was encouraged.
At first, glasnost and perestroika were met with general excitement, although there was resistance from those who resented reforms aimed at reducing their power and privilege. By the end of 1986, however, with the economic situation worsening. Gorbachev's talk of progress began to sound like an empty promise. His economic reforms were too cautious. He introduced limited rights for private enterprise, but most production remained under control of the state, where restructuring
the
failed to stimulate growth. By 1987, perestroika had led to longer food lines and food shortages.
Glasnost had enabled all Soviet citizens to express their dissatisfaction with both the CPSU and the Soviet system. In 1988, Gorbachev began to face internal resistance as nationalist movements in Kazakhstan, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania) demanded independence from the centralized Soviet government.
In 1989, hoping that the Soviet people would accept a new "humane communism," Gorbachev allowed
openly contested elections for some members of the Congress of People's Deputies (Soviet Parliament). However, he soon faced demands for greater concessions from a newly elected people's deputy, Boris Yeltsin.
Raising the Iron Curtain
Following the defeat of Nazi Germany, tension between the superpowers split Europe into a communist "East" and a capitalist "West." Gorbachev's repeal of the "Brezhnev Doctrine" opened the floodgates for popular demands for reform, leading to the dismantling of the Iron Curtain across Eastern Europe.
for popular demands for reform, le
t was the former British prime minister Winston Churchill
(see pp.392-93) who likened the division of East and West in 1946 to "an iron curtain descended across the Continent." Inhabitants of Eastern Europe were prohibited from crossing into the West, and most people knew little about the way of life on the other side. The first indications that the
curtain might rise came in 1985, when Mikhail Gorbachev was appointed General Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party. Gorbachev proposed to set Russia on a new course (see pp.446-47), but his vision required a transformation in East-West relations.

Answer 1

Key Ideas and Definitions from Gorbachev's Reforms

Key Ideas:

1. Mikhail Gorbachev's Leadership (1985):

   • Became the leader of the Soviet Union.
   • Recognized problems within the communist system.
   • Aimed for reforms to improve the Soviet Union.

2. Perestroika:

   • Definition: Means "restructuring."
   • Gorbachev's plan to revitalize the Soviet economy and government.
   • Intended to streamline the Communist Party but failed to inspire economic growth.
   • Limited private enterprise was allowed, but most production remained state-controlled.

3. Glasnost:

   • Definition: Means "openness."
   • Gorbachev's initiative to encourage political debate and allow criticism of the Communist Party.
   • Enabled citizens to express dissatisfaction with the Soviet system.
   • Led to a more politically aware population demanding reforms.

4. Resistance to Reform:

   • While some welcomed Gorbachev's reforms, others who held power resisted changes that threatened their privilege.
   • Economic conditions worsened by 1986, leading to skepticism about Gorbachev’s effectiveness.

5. Nationalist Movements:

   • By 1988, various regions, including Kazakhstan and the Baltic States, began to demand independence from Soviet rule.
   • Increased tension led to challenges against Gorbachev's authority.

6. Open Elections:

   • In 1989, Gorbachev allowed contested elections, which led to the election of Boris Yeltsin, who pushed for more significant changes.
   • This shows the growing desire for democratic processes in the USSR.

7. The Iron Curtain:

   • A term coined by Winston Churchill in 1946 to describe the division between the communist East and capitalist West.
   • Gorbachev's reforms led to the end of the Iron Curtain, allowing more freedom for Eastern European countries.
   • His policies ultimately contributed to the collapse of communist regimes in Eastern Europe.

Important Terms:

• Communism: A political system where the government controls all means of production and aims for a classless society.

• CPSU (Communist Party of the Soviet Union): The ruling party in the Soviet Union and the only legal party during its existence.

• Brezhnev Doctrine: A policy that justified Soviet intervention in other countries to maintain communist governments; Gorbachev repealed this doctrine, allowing for reform and independence movements.

• Congress of People's Deputies: The Soviet parliament where Gorbachev allowed elections and political competition for some members.

Conclusion:

Gorbachev's attempts at reforming the Soviet Union through perestroika and glasnost aimed to address serious issues in the economy and governance. Despite initial enthusiasm, resistance and worsening economic conditions led to greater demands for change, contributing to the eventual collapse of the Soviet system and the lifting of the Iron Curtain across Eastern Europe.