Gorbachev Flashcards
When did Gorbachev come into power?
1985 after the death of Chernenko
What were the Soviet problems leading up to Gorbachev?
Food shortages- the inefficiency of the Soviet system was showing through
Technologically the USSR lagged behind the west
Brezhnev increased defence budgets while healthcare was in decline.
There was little incentive to work hard or be more productive.
Soviet economic stagnation and subsidies to Communist satellites caused further declines.
Reagan knew the USSR couldn’t keep pace and so did Gorbachev
What were Gorbachev solutions?
Glasnost, meaning openness. Gorbachev hoped to increase efficiency, morale and stamp out corruption.
Peristroika- restructuring and renewal. The introduction of market forces to Soviet economy. He recognised communist economics wasn’t working.
When was the summit in Geneva?
November 1985.
Who spoke in Geneva?
Eduard Shevardnadze, we must not be perceived as Mr. Nyet
All the leaders spoke of the futility of nuclear war.
What was decided in Washington 1987?
INF treaty. Historic because it was agreement on reduction of arms. Nuclear disarmament.
When did Soviet withdraw from Afghanistan?
1988
What was the reaction at home to Gorbachev?
Glasnost opened criticism of communist system
In Eastern bloc countries glasnost and Peristroika weakened the authority of the governments and the USSR promised not to intervene.
Why was there no opposition in east Europe?
Due to fear more than contentment
Western culture also infiltrated during the 70s and 80s.
What happened in Poland 1980?
A trade union, solidarity was formed in Gdansk under Lech Welensa
What was Solidarities aims?
Lower food prices and a referendum on the one party state
What was the USSR response to solidarity?
They were worried but didn’t intervene. They encouraged tough measures and Solidarity was banned.
What did Solidarity do in 1988?
They called a strike whilst being underground.
What happened in 1989?
Solidarity was made legal and the right to strike was granted along with free elections.
Communist rule also collapsed in Hungary, East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria and Romania
The Berlin Wall was taken down. Symbol of communist oppression
December after a summit meeting in Malta Gorbachev declared the ‘Cold War is over’.
When did Germany reunify within NATO?
July 1990
