Gorbachev

• Problems faced by USSR in 1980s:

  • Gorbachev became leader of USSR in 1985
  • USSR economy stagnated due to lack of money spent on country under Brezhnev in 1970s - no industrial growth, bad living standards
  • Low standards of living led to problems in satellite states
  • USSR under constant unstable leadership
  • Chernobyl showed that USSR could not keep up with nuclear production
• Gorbachev's "new thinking":

  • Perestroika - reforming Soviet states and economy to bring in practices that made capitalism successful
  • Abandon Brezhnev Doctrine, pull out of Afghanistan
  • Glasnot - opposition groups allowed, people should not fear government, transparency on how country is run
• American response:

  • Gorbachev willing to work with USA to reduce tensions
  • Reagan saw opportunity to end war to be more open with USSR
  • USA still wanted to stick to being harsh on communism
• • a series of summits and talks were entered in by the USA and USSR from 1985 to 1989
  • summits reduced amount of nuclear missiles both sides could have