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The Gorbachev Revolution, 1985–2000

Crisis in the Soviet Union, 1953–2000: The Gorbachev Revolution, 1985–2000

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88 min

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AqaA LevelHistory2T The Crisis of Communism: The USSR and the Soviet

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The Gorbachev Revolution, 1985–20004 objectives

Gorbachev as leader: personality, aims and power base; reasons for perestroika, glasnost and demokratizatsiya; withdrawal from Afghanistan and readiness to end the Cold War; summit meetings leading to the Malta Agreement.
Economic, political and social policies under Gorbachev: impact of Chernobyl; attempts at economic restructuring and the outcome; the attempt to democratise the Soviet political system and its outcome; main political reforms.
Revolution and counter-revolution in the USSR: opposition to Gorbachev's policies; nationalist unrest; deepening economic and political crises; the coup of August 1991 and Yeltsin's counter-attack; Gorbachev's resignation as president; the collapse of the USSR; reasons for Gorbachev's apparent failure.
Yeltsin as leader: personality and aims; style of rule; economic and political problems and policies; political unrest; re-election and resignation; Putin as leader; the state of Russia politically, economically and socially by 2000.

PerestroikaGlasnostDemocratizationEconomic RestructuringNationalismCoup d'étatShock therapyPrivatization

Use specific examples: When discussing Gorbachev's reforms, always include specific examples to support your arguments.
Use Specific Evidence: When discussing Gorbachev's policies, always support your arguments with specific examples and evidence.

Confusing perestroika with glasnost: Remember that perestroika focuses on economic restructuring, while glasnost emphasizes political openness.
Overgeneralizing Gorbachev's Reforms: Acknowledge the mixed outcomes of Gorbachev's policies, recognizing both their initial successes and ultimate failures.

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