Gorbachev: Glasnost And Perestoika Flashcards
When did Mikhail Gorbachev become leader?
1985.
What were the two policies Gorbachev used to carry out reform?
Glasnost (openness)
Perestroika (economic reform)
What was the Sinatra Doctrine?
Why was it put in place?
A policy which allowed the countries of Eastern Europe more freedom to decide their own future, and sort out their own problems.
Russian control over Eastern Europe was one of the largest causes of tension with the USA. Political freedom for these countries would remove one of the major causes of the Cold War.
Why did Gorbachev want reform?
- The nuclear arms race accounted for 25% of national budget.
- The standard of living was falling for many Russians.
- The war in Afghanistan was costly in money and lives and was unpopular.
What changes did Gorbachev make?
Cut spending on defence.
Sighed a treaty with USA to remove most of their missiles in Europe.
Other communist governments no longer supported by USSR.
Introduced free elections in 1990 instead of a one party state.
What were the consequences of Gorbachev’s reforms?
Hastened the collapse of the USSR.
In 1991 the Baltic States (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania) became independent.
The rest of the USSR was broken into 15 semi-independent states.
Collapse of the Berlin Wall and reunification of Germany.
How did Gorbachev’s policies affect Poland?
By 1989 the trade union solidarity led by lech Walesa challenged the communist government over Poland’s economic problems. The polish government agreed to hold free elections and legalise solidarity.
In august of that year Poland became the first Eastern European country to have a non-communist government. Lech Walesa was elected president in 1990.
How did Gorbachev’s policies affect Hungary?
Free electrons led to non communist governments.
1986 opposition parties allowed.
Fences cutting off border with Austria removed.
How did Gorbachev’s policies affect Romania?
1990, Leavsescu, an unpopular communist leader was executed.
How did Gorbachev’s policies affect Bulgaria?
Communist government resigned,
When was the Cold War declared to end?
1991.
Gorbachev met president (daddy) bush.
How did Gorbachev’s policies affect Czechoslovakia?
Velvet revolution.
In November, communists were overthrown with almost no loss of life.
Dubcek became chairman of newly elected federal government.
Czechoslovakia split into Czech Republic and Slovakia.
When did the Berlin Wall fall?
What happened?
9th November 1989.
In east Germany, the unpopular communist leaders ignored Gorbachev’s advice to make reforms.
Thousands of demonstrators forced their way through checkpoints along the Berlin Wall. That night thousands using pick axes and hammers demolished large sections of the wall.
This was the first step towards the reunification of Germany.
What was the commonwealth of independent states?
15 members of the republic of USSR declared independence. 3 of the largest states, Russia, Ukraine and Belorussia formed a new union - commonwealth of Independent States.
