On March 1985, Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was elected general secretary of the Communist Party in Russia. Gorbachev inherited by his predecessors a stagnant economy and a "well fed" bureaucracy. Moreover, he was called to face a population that had learned to live in fear of the government and that didn't trust the government's promises and actions. As Gorbachev was gaining power quickly in the Party, he introduced some radical reforms that he believed would benefit the country.
His reform policies of "Perestroika", "Demokratizatsiya" and "Glasnost" meant restructuring, democratization and openness. The purpose of these reforms was to elevate the Soviet standard of living in order to regain the citizens" loyalty towards the Communist Party and to enable the rebirth of the Soviet economy and ideal. He also wanted let the Russian people participate in the modernization of the Soviet Union because he hoped that this way he would have a successful reform.
Perestroika implemented more profit motives for the people and the private ownership in agriculture. Farmers could now lease land from the government and keep the profits made from selling products grown in their land. Moreover, the reform encouraged private businesses and cooperatives- individuals could now own small businesses and hire workers. Perestroika also shut down many ministries and bureaucratic centers.
With these policies, Gorbachev planned to modernize Russia. In other words, he aimed for the country's westernization. With the fostering of private businesses, 5 million people were employed. After 1 April 1989, all enterprises were allowed to trade with foreign partners. This triggered the development of joint ventured companies of the West, such as PepsiCo, Kodak, Time-Warner Despite these reformations though, the Russian economy was heading to crisis. The Union's industry was heavily dependent on military orders, which by 1989 were remarkably reduced since the military action of Russia was reduced as well.
It was under Gorbachev's rule when their communism dissolved. I will discuss the process of their fall as well as their end and resolution with the United States. The fall of communism came because of the end of détente. ... The economy and the Soviet Union were almost rescued by Gorbachev. ... As hard as Gorbachev tried to save the economy he could not. ...
On taking office in 1985 Mikhail Gorbachev faced one problem more daunting than all others combined. ... There are many reasons for Gorbachev's reforms not working. ... This would prove to be a major down fall later. ... Gorbachev could do nothing but watch his country fall apart. ... The third attribute in Gorbachev's reforms faili...
Because of Gorbachev's political stupidity which lead him to implement the new reforms people shown their individualism, which lead to the revolution of 1989 and the eventual fall of the Soviet Union. ... They used the freedoms given by Gorbachev and demanded change, the West helped them in this knowing that the fall of communism is in reach. ... The economic instability which was made visible to the public through Gorbachev's reforms led to the revolutions of 1989 and the fall of the Soviet Empire. ... People did not fear Gorbachev. ... This proves that Gorbachev was a weak rule...
Thus, "Gorbachev faced a paradox. ... This was detrimental to Gorbachev. ... Soon after, Gorbachev would resign. ... What were the consequences of the fall of the Soviet Union. The fall of the Soviet Union can be attributed to Gorbachev's perestroika and glasnost reforms. ...
The Decline and Fall of the Soviet Union Almost sixty-nine years after it was founded, the Soviet Union came to an end. ... However, six years later on December 25, 1991, Gorbachev resigned. ... Gorbachev returned to Moscow, but his leadership had been severely discredited by the crisis. On August 24 Gorbachev resigned as general secretary of the Communist Party. ... Mikhail Gorbachev wanted to reform his country but keep it intact. ...
Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev was born on March 2, 1931 in Privolnoye, Stavropol province. ... Gorbachev replaced his people in key positions. ... He restructured the falling economy by calling for the beginning of the market economy with limited free enterprise and some private property. ... With Gorbachev on vacation in the Crimea, they staged a coup. ... After the coup, Gorbachev lost the political initiative. ...
This war was in Afghanistan was another factor behind the decline and fall of the Soviet Empire. ... Mikhail Gorbachev and Reform Mikail Gorbachev became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985. Gorbachev was a new style of Soviet leader. ... The following year Gorbachev announced a new policy of openness: Glasnost. ... Gorbachev's economic reforms were not successful. ...
The Cold War preceded the fall of communism in Eastern Europe. ... Gorbachev came to power and sought improvement. ... Moreover, Marxist ideology faded in the wind as Gorbachev championed for private ownership of property by 1990. ... Realizing that the laborers were the foundation of the nation, it was wise on Gorbachev's part to seek their contentment. When dealing with Soviet economic hardship, Gorbachev found himself in a deeper hole even after implementing positive policies. ...
A series of economic changes directly led to the fall of USSR. In 1985, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected as the leader of USSR. ... Discontenting with Gorbachev's political and economic reform, he resigned in 1987. Unlike Gorbachev who hoped to change the Soviet Union, Yeltsin wished to dissolve it. ... Taking the advantage of Gorbachev's failure in reforms, he started the Russian Republic and won nearly 90 percent of the vote i...