1.5d How far was Gorbachov responsible for the collapse of the USSR in 1991? Flashcards
How was Gorbachov to blame when it came to the Nagorno-Karabakh situation?
He inflamed the situation by claiming their referendum had no meaning
How was Gorbachov to blame for democratisation and Nationalism?
He introduced Glasnost
What was Gorbachov awarded by the West for the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Nobel Peace Prize
Why was Gorbachov not suited to the role of leader of the USSR?
He had no economic knowledge
What term is the best way to describe Gorbachov?
Naive
What did Gorbachov do to attack his own power base?
Tried to reduce the power of the Communist Party
Who used popular support to gain power against Gorbachov?
Yeltsin
What position did Gorbachov use a poor substitute for power?
President
What did Gorbachov do (or not do) regarding the 1990 elections and why was it significant?
He didn’t put the President position to popular election
- He would’ve won anyway
Why was Gorbachov hated regarding people’s expectations?
He raised expectations politically and materially but failed to deliver
What was Gorbachov’s main failure regarding foreign policy?
Ending the Brezhnev Doctrine - countries left the USSR
How did Gorbachov harm the relationship between the USSR and national minorities? (3 specifics)
- Replacing Kunyev with Kolbin
- Handling of Nagorno-Karabakh
- Handling of the Baltics
Give one example of how Gorbachov gave mixed messages
In a speech in 1987, he praised Stalin’s leader qualities whilst condemning his actions which ended up alienating liberal reformers
Give 2 examples of how Gorbachov kept changing the people in his government
- Replaced Bakatin with Pugo (hardline) as ‘Minister of the Interior’
- Replaced Ryzhkov with Yanaev
Give one of Gorbachov’s bad qualities put on display with the Chernobyl disatser
Indecision - waited several days before speaking to the public
Who did Gorbachov support in the elections for ‘Chairman of the Congress of People’s Deputies’?
Vlasoc - dull & uninspiring
What is meant by the term ‘Internationalist Historian’?
Someone who focuses on individuals and how their actions cause events
What is meant by the term ‘Structuralist Historian’?
Someone who focuses on the political structure i limiting the ability of a leader
What is meant by the term ‘Social Historian’?
Someone that views history from the viewpoint of citizens
How can Gorbachov be defended when discussing Nagorno-Karabakh in terms of the collapse of the USSR?
It didn’t create a direct threat to the USSR
Give 1 way in which Gorbachov can be defended in his actions leading to the collapse of the USSR? (Evaluation point)
He had good intentions
What does Suny believe the reason for the collapse of the USSR was?
Economic reform, democratisation and decolonising at the same time
By which events was Gorbachov undermined that were out of his control? (3)
- Afghanistan war
- Fall in oil prices
- US Star Wars policy
In 1988, there was a major earthquake in the USSR: where was it and how many died?
Armenia
25,000
