Photograph of Mikhail Gorbachev

Mikhail Gorbachev as general secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Creator recorded on source page. Public domain or freely licensed; see source record.

Historical person · Contemporary

Mikhail Gorbachev

1931–2022

Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War.

Explore Cold WarRead biography ↓

Your next chapter starts here

Take history with you.

Create a free account or log in to download this guide as a PDF. Reading on the website is always free.

Create free account
Quick answers

What to know about Mikhail Gorbachev

Direct answers to common questions about Mikhail Gorbachev, followed by the full sourced biography.

Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?

Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War. 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.

What is Mikhail Gorbachev known for?

Mikhail Gorbachev is particularly known for Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War., Cold War.

When did Mikhail Gorbachev live?

Mikhail Gorbachev lived 1931–2022. This profile places that life within Contemporary and Cold War.

Why is Mikhail Gorbachev historically significant?

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.

Biography

Mikhail 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.

Key moments

Timeline

  1. Born

    Mikhail Gorbachev was born in 1931.

  2. Historical career

    Last Soviet leader, associated with perestroika, glasnost and the end of the Cold War.

  3. Died

    Mikhail Gorbachev died in 2022.

Connections

Related people

Keep reading

Related stories

Test your knowledge

Related quizzes

Evidence

Sources and further reading

  1. Mikhail Gorbachev reference searchEncyclopaedia Britannica
  2. Cold War research guidesThe National Archives
  3. Biographical records and portraitsNational Portrait Gallery
  4. Historical people and primary sourcesLibrary of Congress
  5. Historical figuresEncyclopaedia Britannica

Biographical claims are summarised from the sources above. Interpretation and disputed reputations are identified in the text rather than presented as settled fact.