gorbachev background

• • Key policies : introduced the policies of glasnost and perestroika , glasnost being an attempt in being more ‘open’ with the west , supporting freedom of speech and communist politicians taking on criticism. Perestroika involved modernising and attempting to ‘rebuild’ the soviet state - he realised military spending had to be reduced and this meant ending the arms race with the USA
  • Says the brezhnev doctrine is dead - satellite states will have more autonomy
  • Leads to elections in places like hungary and prague  
• • Attitude towards GDR and cold war : 
  • Significant visits : visits GDR for its 40th anniversary 
  • Fdj shouting gorbachev help us 
  • Becomes a face for youth radicalisation and reform 
  • Legacy : fall of the berlin wall, reunification of Germany