political reform

Question 1

what were the reasons for political reform?

Answer 1

aim of democracy - Gorbachev believed that Lenin in the long term always wanted democracy

freedom of speech - Gorbachev wanted people to be less cynical of soviet rule

Question 2

who did Gorbachev purge?

Answer 2

previous party members who had been close with b
Brezhnev and replaced them with reformists

Question 3

what was glasnost?

Answer 3

‘Glasnost’ was one of Gorbachev’s most enduring legacies as leader of the Soviet Union.
Glasnost means ‘openness’. It relied on the idea that the government had a responsibility to be truthful to the people about Soviet history and its economy.
This included a more liberal approach to the media.

Question 4

later reforms?

Answer 4

Gorbachev aimed to increase democracy foe example in 1988 the party conference allowed elections

Question 5

what were the impacts of the political reforms?

Answer 5

-internal conflict within the communist party between the hardliners and reformists

-knowledge of the soviet unions history made the communist party increasingly unpopular

-new positions within government undermined gorbachevs power