Failure of Political reforms Flashcards
(29 cards)
Why was political reform so dangerous?
• USSR held together by Communist Party’s central control • Democracy could lead to collapse of communism and USSR
Why had people become cynical of Communist rule?
• Believed Communist Party officials were corrupt
What were Gorbachev’s overall goals of political reform?
• Create democracy for working people • End cynicism and apathy • Revitalise USSR and end stagnation
What did Gorbachev want to achieve with his 1985 reforms?
• Open debate in the Party • More freedom of expression for intellectuals • Greater public access to information
Why did Gorbachev want greater freedom of speech?
• To allow experts and intellectuals to help build socialism
What did Gorbachev do to purge the Party?
• Removed Brezhnev-era officials • Appointed pro-reform ministers
Why did Gorbachev introduce political reform alongside economic reform?
• Traditional officials blocked reform • Believed political reform was needed to revive the economy
Glasnost
• Policy launched in 1986 meaning “openness”
Why was Glasnost introduced?
• Gorbachev said government must admit the truth • Initially aimed to reveal economic problems
What changed as a result of Glasnost?
• Economic and historical info more available • Media became liberalised
Why did Gorbachev seek support outside the Party?
• Hardliners resisted reforms • He turned to intellectuals and writers for support
Why did Gorbachev liberalise the media?
• To build alliances with reformers and intellectuals • Hoped they would generate new ideas and challenge Party
What changes occurred in the media due to Glasnost?
• Exposed Stalin’s atrocities • Banned books, plays, and films were allowed
What happened when Glasnost extended (1987–88)?
• Press criticised Lenin and Marx • Citizens accessed foreign news and radio
What was said at the 1988 Party Congress?
• Officials admitted USSR’s major social problems • Contradicted claims of Party success
What were consequences of Glasnost?
• Media criticism weakened Party • People lost faith in government • Party divisions grew • Republics demanded independence
What was Democratisation?
• Gorbachev’s plan to involve more people in politics and the Communist Party
What did Gorbachev hope from Democratisation?
• Limit traditionalist power • Reduce centralisation
What was Radical Democratic Reform (1988–89)?
• Introduced multi-candidate elections • Citizens could vote for radicals or moderates • Launched at 19th Party Conference
What happened in the 1989 multi-candidate election?
• High-ranking officials defeated • Radicals succeeded • Yeltsin won with 89%
What was formed after the 1989 election?
• IRDG: anti-Communist group advocating private property and republic autonomy
Why was the IRDG important?
• Official opposition group within the Soviet system • Marked a shift towards real democracy
What were the 1989 election consequences?
• Moderates weakened • Nationalists campaigned for independence • Yeltsin became popular rival to Gorbachev
What happened in the 1990 Republic elections?
• Anti-Communist trend visible • Democratic Russia won 85% of seats in Moscow
