What happened after Mikhail Gorbachev rose to power in the Soviet Union?
After Mikhail Gorbachev rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985, he enacted a series of reforms that aimed to modernize and liberalize the Soviet economy and political system. These reforms became known as perestroika (restructuring) and glasnost (openness).
Under perestroika, Gorbachev sought to decentralize the Soviet economy by allowing limited free-market practices and private ownership of businesses. However, these reforms also led to economic challenges, such as inflation and shortages of goods.
Glasnost, on the other hand, aimed to increase transparency in the government and media, allowing for more open debate and criticism. This led to greater freedom of speech and expression in the Soviet Union, as well as the exposure of corruption and human rights abuses.
Gorbachev also pursued arms control agreements with the United States, including the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty in 1987. These efforts to improve relations with the West earned Gorbachev the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.
Ultimately, the reforms introduced by Gorbachev led to the unraveling of the Soviet Union. The loosening of political and economic controls sparked nationalist movements in the Baltic states and other Soviet republics, leading to their declaration of independence. In 1991, a group of hardline Communists attempted a coup against Gorbachev, which ultimately failed but further weakened his power.
By the end of 1991, the Soviet Union officially dissolved, and Gorbachev resigned as president. His attempts at reform ultimately hastened the end of the Soviet Union but also brought about significant changes in the country and paved the way for a more democratic and open society in Russia and the other former Soviet republics.