Mikhail Gorbachev: Changing Attitudes

Question 1

When did Brezhnev die ?

Answer 1

1982 and was replaced by Yuri Andropov who was leader for less than 2 years
Then Knostantin Chernenko then Mikhail Gorbachev after Chernenko suddenly died

Question 2

When did Gorbachev became leader of the Soviet Union ?

Answer 2

March 1985

Question 3

What was different about Gorbachev ?

Answer 3

He was much younger than his predecessors and was prepared to adopt drastic policies to improve superpower relations
He had to attempt to change relations otherwise the Soviet Union was bound to collapse

Question 4

How did he view the relationship with the US president Reagon at first ?

Answer 4

Since he had a lack of foreign policy experience he viewed the relation fairly simply
For example
- after first meeting Reston in 1985 he described him as retarded

Question 5

What did his new thinking lead to ?

Answer 5

Changes in relations with the west
- he realised the Soviet Union faced many problems and the economy was not nearly as good as the American
Americans enjoyed an excellent standard of living while the Soviet Union faced shortages