BiographyMikhail Gorbachev: life and legacy
Overview
Gorbachev became general secretary in 1985 and attempted to reform a stagnating Soviet system. Openness and restructuring released pressures the party could not control, while arms agreements reduced superpower tension. He declined to use large-scale force to preserve eastern European communist governments, but the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.
Life and career
Gorbachev became general secretary in 1985 and attempted to reform a stagnating Soviet system. Openness and restructuring released pressures the party could not control, while arms agreements reduced superpower tension. He declined to use large-scale force to preserve eastern European communist governments, but the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991.
Key events
1931: Born. Mikhail Gorbachev was born in 1931. Contemporary: Historical career. Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War.
2022: Died. Mikhail Gorbachev died in 2022.
Historical context
Mikhail Gorbachev's career belongs within Cold War. Cold War decisions were made under nuclear danger and within global conflicts that had local causes. Superpower perspectives alone can obscure people living through intervention, division and proxy war. The central subjects here are the events behind this summary: Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War.