Mikhail Gorbachev Flashcards
When did Gorbachev enter power
Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. He was an unusual mix of idealist, optimist, and realist.
What did the realist in Gorbachev see in the USSR
The realist in him could see that the USSR was in a terrible state.
Its economy was very weak.
It was spending far too much money on the arms race.
It was locked into an unwinnable war in Afghanistan.
What did the idealist in Gorbachev see in the USSR
The idealist in him believed that communist rule should make life better for the people of the USSR and other communist states.
As a loyal communist and a proud Russian, he was offended by the fact that goods made in Soviet factories were shoddy, living standards were higher in the West and that many Soviet citizens had no loyalty to the Government.
What did the optimist in Gorbachev see in the USSR
The optimist in him believed that a reformed communist system of government could give people pride and belief in their country.
He definitely did not intend to dismantle communism in the USSR and eastern Europe, but he did want to reform it radically.
Gorbachev’s policies in Eastern Europe
Gorbachev had a very different attitude to eastern Europe from Brezhnev.
He called the leaders on the Warsaw Pact countries together in March.
This meeting should have been a turning point in the history of eastern Europe.
He had 2 main messages.
Message 1 from Gorbachev
Gorbachev made it very clear to the countries of eastern Europe that they were responsible for their own fates.
However, most of the Warsaw Pact leaders were old-style, hard-line communists.
Gorbachev’s ideas seemed insane and they did not believe he meant what he said.
Message 2 from Gorbachev
Gorbachev also made it clear that they had to reform their own countries.
He did not think communism was doomed – in fact, he felt the opposite was true.
He believed the communist system could provide better healthcare, education and transport.
The task in the USSR and eastern Europe was to renew communism so as to match capitalism in other areas of public life. However, they did not believe him on this count either.
Gorbachevs reforms
Glasnost: Openness
Perestroika: Restructuring
Glasnost: He called for an open debate on government policy and honesty in facing up to problems. It was not a detailed set of policies but it did mean radical change.
Perestroika (1987): Allowed market forces to be introduced into the Soviet economy. For the first time in 60 years it was no longer illegal to buy and sell for profit.
Gorbachev reduce defence spending
The nuclear arms race was an enormous drain on the Soviet economy at a time when it was in trouble anyway. After almost 50 years on constant war footing, the Red Army began to shrink.
Gorbachev improve international relations
Gorbachev brought a new attitude to the USSR’s relations with the wider world. He withdrew Soviet troops from Afghanistan, which had become such a costly yet unwinnable war. In speech after speech, he talked about international trust and co-operation as the way forward for the USSR, rather than confrontation.
Gorbachev and President Reagen
Ronald Reagan became US president in January 1981 and lasted until 1988.
He had only one policy towards the USSR – get tough.
He criticised its control over eastern Europe and increased US military spending.
In a way, Reagan’s toughness helped Gorbachev.
Implications for Eastern Europe
Other eastern European countries demanded similar reforms that Gorbachev introduced in the USSR
Most of these states were sick of the poor economic conditions and the harsh restrictions that communism imposed.
Gorbachev’s policies gave people some hope for reform
What was people power
The western media came up with a phrase to explain the events that helped collapse communism in eastern Europe (previous slide) – PEOPLE POWER.
Communist control was toppled because ordinary people were not prepared to accept it any longer.
reunification of Germany
With the Berlin Wall down, West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl proposed a speedy reunification of Germany.
Germans in both countries embraced the idea enthusiastically.
When did Germany reunite
3 October 1990
