How far was Gorbachev personally responsible for the collapse of Soviet control over Eastern Europe?

Question 1

What was the state of the Soviet Union in 1985 when Gorbachev became leader?

Answer 1

• Soviet citizens had no loyalty to the government, resenting the way their lives were run
• The controlling of other countries was outdated. The Soviet Union could no longer afford the cost of maintaining military presence in European satellite states
• The economy was very weak as too much money was being spent race and an unwinnable war in Afghanistan. The economy was still run as it was at the time of Stalin. Factories produced cheap goods. Food was in short supply
• The standard of living was low compared to the West
• There was much corruption in the government

Question 2

What policies did Gorbachev introduce?

Answer 2

Glasnost (openness)

Perestroika (restructuring)

Question 3

What was the policy of Glasnost?

Answer 3

• Freedom of expression

- Freedom for the media, allowing news of government corruption and the criticism of government officials

Question 4

What was the policy of Perestroika?

Answer 4

Aimed to make the Soviet economy more modern and efficient. Included:

• encouraging private ownership of Soviet industry and agriculture
• reducing state control over imports and exports
• allowing trade with non-eastern block countries
• allowing foreign investments in Russian businesses
• an increase in the production and trade in consumer goods

Question 5

What did Gorbachev do to the Brezhnev Doctrine?

Answer 5

He abandoned it, making moves to establish a more friendly relationship with the West.
Arms reduction treaties were signed with the USA

Question 6

What was the result of introduced the reforms?

Answer 6

They were introduced too quickly, without proper thought and planning
This plunged the Soviet Union into confusion and economic chaos.
Soviet people began to demand an end to communism

Question 7

What happened between the spring of 1989 and 1991?

Answer 7

Every communist or former communist Eastern European country held democratic parliamentary elections

Question 8

When was the Berlin Wall dismantled?

Answer 8

1989

Question 9

When did Germany become a united country?

Answer 9

3rd October 1990

Question 10

How did the war in Afghanistan affect the Soviet Union?

Answer 10

It severely overstretched the Soviet economy and demoralised their military

Question 11

What casualties did the Soviets face from the Afghan war?

Answer 11

They suffered a loss of 10,000 Soviet soliders