Gorbachev’s New Thinking

Question 1

Who was Gorbachev?

Answer 1

leader of the USSR in 1985.
• He wanted to save communism, but realised the Soviet system was corrupt, inefficient, and failing economically.
• His reforms accidentally led to the collapse of the USSR and the end of the Cold War.

Question 2

His Two Main Reforms?

Answer 2

🟡 Perestroika (“restructuring”)
• Economic reform: Gorbachev wanted to modernise the Soviet economy.
• Allowed some private businesses and aimed to reduce central control.

🔵 Glasnost (“openness”)
• Allowed more freedom of speech and openness in society.
• People could now criticise the government, access Western ideas, and demand change.

Question 3

Why was it important?

Answer 3

✅ Reduced Cold War tensions
• Gorbachev was open to negotiations — he ended the arms race, signed the INF Treaty (1987), and improved relations with Reagan.

✅ Encouraged reform across Eastern Europe
• Communist countries (like Poland, East Germany) started reforming too.
• Gorbachev made it clear he would not use force to stop them — a major break from the Brezhnev Doctrine.

✅ Led to the collapse of the USSR
• His reforms made people demand more freedom, which weakened the communist grip.
• Eventually, the USSR broke apart in 1991, ending the Cold War.