Mikhail Gorbachev
•After Brezhnev there were two short term leaders in Russia:
•Yuri Andropov 1982-84 (died)
•Konstantin Chernenko 1984-1985 (temporary replacement)
•Gorbachev took over in 1985
•Began “developed socialism” where he wanted to rid the USSR of corruption
•Gorbachev was forced to change his ways after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster
•Parallel to Lenin and Kronstadt mutiny
•Yuri Andropov 1982-84 (died)
•Konstantin Chernenko 1984-1985 (temporary replacement)
•Gorbachev took over in 1985
•Began “developed socialism” where he wanted to rid the USSR of corruption
•Gorbachev was forced to change his ways after the 1986 Chernobyl disaster
•Parallel to Lenin and Kronstadt mutiny
Gorbachev’s Mistakes to Reform
•Anti-alcohol campaign - cost state in revenue
•Investment in machinery and tool industry with little return
•Glasnost backfired in that people began hoarding common goods
•Deficit grew annually
•He continued the war in Afghanistan too long
•His high ranking officials were based on loyalty rather than reform mindedness
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•Investment in machinery and tool industry with little return
•Glasnost backfired in that people began hoarding common goods
•Deficit grew annually
•He continued the war in Afghanistan too long
•His high ranking officials were based on loyalty rather than reform mindedness
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summary
Gorbachev's attempts at reform as well as summit conferences with United States President Ronald Reagan and his reorientation of Soviet strategic aims contributed to the end of the Cold War, ended the political supremacy of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), and led to the dissolution of the Soviet Union.