Gorbachev's Reforms

Question 1

How was Gorbachev different from his predecessors

Answer 1

He was a communist, but he was not as strict with communism as the others had been

Question 2

What did Gorbachev hope to do

Answer 2

He wanted to revive the economy

Question 3

How did Gorbachev hope to revive the economy

Answer 3

By improving both the industrial output and technology and expanding its market

Question 4

What did Gorbachev criticise Brezhnev for

Answer 4

His years of stagnation

Question 5

What problems did Gorbachev inherit from Brezhnev

Answer 5

A country that was facing both internal and external problems.

Question 6

Why was the USSR’s economy in a bad state

Answer 6

It was still in a stage of Cold War which had become very costly due to:
The arms race
Control of the satellite states in Eastern Europe
The war in Afghanistan

Question 7

What was wrong with the soviet central planning committee

Answer 7

It was corrupt and inefficient

Question 8

What did the corrupt and inefficient soviet central planning committee result in

Answer 8

A decrease in industrial production and ineffective farming practices

Question 9

What did inefficient farming practices and decrease in industrial production contribute to

Answer 9

The soviet standard of living was much lower than other Eastern Europe countries
There were severe food shortages
The country had been forced to import grain form the USA and other western countries
There were shortages of goods
Poor health standards and inadequate health care
Inflation

Question 10

What did Gorbachev’s reforms have an impact on

Answer 10

To the end of the Cold War and the breakdown of the Soviet Union

Question 11

What did Gorbachev aim to do when he assumed power in the soviet union

Answer 11

Restructure and restore soviet economy
Encourage western companies to invest in the Soviet Union
Facilitate transparency about government policy and listen and take note of public opinion
Allow some form of elections but make sure the power remained with the communist party

Question 12

How did Gorbachev plan to restructure and restore the soviet economy

Answer 12

By reducing communist party’s control of the economy. He also made a policy that allowed for more competition and incentives. He also reduced military spending

Question 13

What were gorbachev’s two reforms

Answer 13

Perestroika and glasnost

Question 14

What does perestroika mean

Answer 14

Re-structuring

Question 15

What does glasnost mean

Answer 15

Openness

Question 16

What was the aim of perestroika

Answer 16

It was to reshape the soviet economy, to allow more profit making my individuals and to reduce control by the government

Question 17

What was the aim of glasnost

Answer 17

It meant openness about the governments and freedom of speech. It allowed for criticism of the government policies and it aimed to stopped the corruption of the government officials

Question 18

Perestroika: why did Gorbachev believe the soviet state must be rebuilt

Answer 18

To stamp out corruption
To provide goods at an affordable price
Remove the central planning in economics by the government
Ensure jobs were being done properly
Enable to\he soviet economy to restructure

Question 19

Glasnost: what did Gorbachev believe the Soviet Union and its citizens should do

Answer 19

Be more democratic
Have more freedom from government control
Have freedom of speech
Have more predominant in the media
Have leaders who listen to the people’s views and accept criticism