Contents
Mikhail Gorbachev
Introducing reforms that transformed the Soviet Union and helped end the Cold War.
Glasnost · Perestroika
- Born
- 2 March 1931
- Birthplace
- Privolnoye, Russia
- Died
- 30 August 2022
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Mikhail Gorbachev was the Soviet Union’s final leader, pursuing openness and restructuring before the state dissolved.
Early life
Rural origins
Grew up in a farming family.
Law
Studied at Moscow State University.
Career
- 1950s–1970s
Party career
Rose through regional Communist Party leadership.
- 1985
Soviet leadership
Became general secretary and began reform programmes.
- 1990–1991
Presidency
Served as Soviet president before resigning as the union dissolved.
Policies & agreements
Glasnost
Expanded space for public discussion.
Perestroika
Attempted political and economic restructuring.
INF Treaty
Signed a nuclear-arms agreement with Ronald Reagan.
Beyond work
Partnership
His wife Raisa had a prominent public role.
Contested legacy
Praised abroad for easing confrontation, he faced criticism over upheaval and the Soviet collapse.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: RIAN_archive_850809_General_Secretary_of_the_CPSU_CC_M._Gorbachev.jpg : Vladimir Vyatkin / Владимир Вяткин derivative work: Jbarta. CC BY-SA 3.0 · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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