21: Gorbachev and the Ending of the Cold War

Question 1

What problems were associated with the Brezhnev era?

Answer 1

Trying to improve failing agricultural policies
Living standards stagnated
Failed to take advantage of the worlds oil shortages

Question 2

Who succeeded Brezhnev?

Answer 2

Andropov then Chernenko the Gorbachev

Question 3

What was Perestroika?

Answer 3

Decentralised planning, end of state controlled pricing, companies would remain state owned but managers could use budgets however they wished

Question 4

What was Glasnost?

Answer 4

Allowed reporting of the Chernobyl which opened the flood gates
‘Openess’

Question 5

What were the economic effects of Soviet foreign policy?

Answer 5

Could no longer afford to subsidise satellite states
Led to the loss of support from other socialist states
Costly war in Afghanistan

Question 6

What was the social and political significance of Gorbachev’s economic policies?

Answer 6

Perestroika led to a decrease in the standard of living
Static wages meant they couldn’t adapt to higher prices
Glasnost led to criticism of collectivisation
Had to remove corrupt bureaucrats to allow reform