11 mar 1985 ano - Gorbachev

Descrição:

Gorbachev became the new leader of the Soviet Union, which was in a state of crisis. The economy was weak; they were spending too much on the arms race and the war in Afghanistan. The living standards in the East were far worse than in the West. Gorbachev wanted to make reforms so that communism would be able to provide a good standard of living for its citizens.

GORBACHEV'S REFORMS:
GLASNOST (openness) -> this would mean more freedom of expression and speech. People were allowed to criticise the government. It also allowed western clothing and radio into the East.

PERESTROIKA (restructuring) -> this would make the Soviet economy more efficient and modern by introducing free market reforms. People could own private land and by and sell for profit. This was a huge departure from the communism of Lenin and Stalin.

DEFENCE SPENDING -> Gorbachev cut spending on the nuclear arms race. It was severely costing the Soviet economy. There were no consumer goods left in shops.

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS -> He wanted to cooperate with other nations instead of seeing them as the enemy. He improved relations with the US (President Reagan), working to end the cold war between them. As the USSR felt less threatened by the US, they decreased control of the satellite states as the need for a buffer zone became less. In 1988, Gorbachev told Warsaw pact countries that he would be removing tanks and troops from their countries. This triggered a similar desire for reform and freedom in the eastern bloc.

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