Gorbachev's reforms

Question 1

When did Gorbachev become general secretary of the USSR?

Answer 1

1985.

Question 2

Give at least 3 reasons that Gorbachev saw the need to reform the USSR.

Answer 2

1) Very weak economy
2) Couldn’t assert superiority with technology (due to weak economy)
3) USSR needed stabilisation
4) Poor living standards in USSR
5) Unrest in Warsaw Pact countries

Question 3

Why was the USSR’s economy weak when Gorbachev came into power?

Answer 3

The weak economy was due to low worker productivity and the vast sums of money being spent on war in Afghanistan. The USSR had gone into debt in the ’60s and ’70s when competing with the USA on technology.

Question 4

Why did the USSR need stabilisation?

Answer 4

There had been poor leadership for many years. Brezhnev died in 1982, after a long illness, and the following leaders soon died after they came to power (Andropov 1984, Chernenko 1985). No plans had been made for the future.

Question 5

Why were there poor living standards in the USSR?

Answer 5

All the money being spent on technology and Afghanistan left little for the ordinary citizens of the USSR. There was still press censorship, lack of human rights and little freedom of speech.

Question 6

Give a specific example of growing unrest in a Warsaw Pact country.

Answer 6

1981: Polish trade union “Solidarity” threatened a strike for better wages. The USSR banned the union and sent in troops to stop any strikes.

Question 7

Gorbachev knew he had to reform the USSR and change its ideology. What did he famously say to his wife in 1985?

Answer 7

“We can’t go on living like this”

Question 8

What were the names of the 2 main reforms Gorbachev introduced to the USSR?

Answer 8

Glasnost and Perestroika.

Question 9

What does “Perestroika” mean?

Answer 9

Economic restructuring (to liberalise and capitalise the market).

Question 10

What does “Glasnost” mean?

Answer 10

Transparency/openness.

Question 11

Give 2 examples of changes Gorbachev implemented as part of Perestroika.

Answer 11

1) 1987 Law on Enterprise

2) 1988 Law on Cooperatives

Question 12

When was the Law on Enterprise passed?

Answer 12

1987.

Question 13

When was the Law on Cooperatives passed?

Answer 13

1988.

Question 14

What did the Law on Enterprise do?

Answer 14

It meant that state-owned businesses (the only kind allowed to exist) could vary production based on supply and demand, reducing waste.

Question 15

What did the Law on Cooperatives do?

Answer 15

Private businesses were legalised, for the first time since 1928.

Question 16

Give 2 examples of changes Gorbachev implemented as part of Glasnost.

Answer 16

1) It became more competitive to obtain high roles in the Communist party. Officials were replaced with younger people who wanted more transparency, e.g. Ryzhkov was made PM. By 1988, 2/3 of top jobs had changed personnel.
2) Government discussion was televised to build trust from the public.
3) Freedom of speech and travel was increased; press censorship was relaxed.

Question 17

After Glasnost was implemented, it became more competitive to obtain high roles in the Communist party. Officials were replaced with younger people who wanted more transparency, e.g. __ was made PM. By __, / of top jobs had changed personnel.

Answer 17

1) Ryzhkov 2) 1988 3) 2/3

Question 18

What was the importance of Perestroika?

Answer 18

People, for the first time, under the 1987 Law on Enterprise, could run private businesses, without the state consuming all the profits. People felt happier under a capitalised system.

Question 19

What was the importance of Glasnost?

Answer 19

The relaxing of press censorship allowed media which showed everyday Soviet people the reality of their poor living standards, compared to the prosperity of the West. The increased freedom of speech meant that people were more likely to protest and demand a better life.

Question 20

Give 4 examples of changes Gorbachev made once he came to power in 1985.

Answer 20

1) Introduced liberal reforms: Glasnost + Perestroika.
2) Withdrew troops from Afghanistan
3) Reduced military + technological spending.
4) Dropped the Brezhnev Doctrine.

Question 21

What was the significance of Gorbachev dropping the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 21

Citizens of Warsaw Pact countries were no longer under threat of attack or invasion if they revolted; they now had the freedom to challenge Communism without fear of oppression.