Gorbachev

Question 1

When did Gorbachev become leader of the USSR?

Answer 1

1985

Question 2

What problems did he recognise the USSR were facing?

Answer 2

• weak economy
• spending far too much on arms race;
• locked into an unwinnable war in Afghanistan

Question 3

What did Gorbachev believe about Communism?

Answer 3

That the system should and could improve the lives of ordinary people

Question 4

What was Gorbachev offended by?

Answer 4

Higher living standards in the West and the poor quality of many Soviet goods as well as many Soviet citizens having no loyalty to the government

Question 5

What did Gorbachev plan to do about communism? What would it give people?

Answer 5

Reform it radically and it would give people pride and belief in their country

Question 6

What did Gorbachev not intend to do?

Answer 6

Did not intend to dismantle communism in the USSR and Eastern Europe

Question 7

What did Gorbachev do in March 1987?

Answer 7

Called a meeting of the leaders of the Warsaw Pact

Question 8

What did he say at the meeting of the leaders of the Warsaw Pact?

Answer 8

• Told those assembled that they were responsible for their own fates, and there would be an unprecedented degree of self-determination.
• Instructed them to set about reforming their own countries as he didn’t think communism was doomed and thought when reformed it would allow for better living standards than the West

Question 9

What did the leaders of the Warsaw Pact think about Gorbachev’s comments?

Answer 9

Most being traditionalists did not believe what he said

Question 10

What were Gorbachev’s reforms?

Answer 10

Glasnost (openness) and Perestroika (restructuring)

Question 11

What was Glasnost?

Answer 11

He called for open debate on government policy and honesty in facing up to problems

Question 12

What was significant about perestroika in 1987?

Answer 12

He allowed market forces for the first time in 60 years, no longer illegal to buy and sell for profit

Question 13

Gorbachev reforms in the arms race

Answer 13

Reduced defence spending: arms race with USA immensely costly; Red Army began to shrink

Question 14

Gorbachev reforms in international relations

Answer 14

Withdrew from Afghanistan and talked of cooperation with the West

Question 15

Ronald Reagan Presidency Dates

Answer 15

January 1981-1989

Question 16

Ronald Reagan attitude to USSR

Answer 16

Get tough attitude - he criticised its control over Eastern Europe and increased US military spending

Question 17

How did Reagan’s toughness help Gorbachev?

Answer 17

• It was clear by the late 1980’s that the USSR could not compete with American military spending. This helped Gorbachev to push through his military spending cuts.
• Reagan got on quite well with Gorbachev himself. As superpower relations improved, the USSR felt less threatened by the USA. This meant there was less need for the USSR to control Eastern Europe.

Question 18

What did Gorbachev’s reforms give people in Eastern European states?

Answer 18

Hope for improved living conditions. Also demands for change increased

Question 19

When was Gorbachev’s speech to the Warsaw Pact leaders?

Answer 19

July 1988

Question 20

What did Gorbachev’s speech to the Warsaw Pact leaders say?

Answer 20

He planned to withdraw large numbers of troops, tanks and aircraft from Eastern Europe. Hungary was particularly eager to get rid of Soviet troops and Gorbachev accepted this

Question 21

What did Gorbachev say in March 1989?

Answer 21

The red Army would not intervene to prop up communist regimes in Eastern Europe