Gorbachev rules the USSR (mar 11, 1985 – aug 19, 1991)

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first as general secretary.
member of Politburo since 1980.
Alcohol policies are introduced to maximise productivity.
'NEW THINKING'

wanted to remove troops from Afghanistan soon as he took office

satellite states were too costly to run by the 1980s - deepened East Europe's desire to go capitalist as they didn't get oil n food from USSR.

realised the communist system was failing to deliver progressive improvements relative to the west.

credited for ending the Cold War - Nobel Peace Prize 1990.

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