Mikhail Gorbachev
The Soviet Union and Reform
Rise to Power
Relationships
YEARS IN POWER
1990s
On March 15, 1990, Gorbachev became the first executive president of the Soviet Union by free election. In October of 1990, Gorbachev won a Noble Peace Prize for loosening Soviet hedgemony over Eastern Europe. Finally in December of 1991, Gorbachev resigned as leader, shortly after the fall of the Soviet Union.
1980s
Glastnost was a policy that called for increased openness is government institutions and activity. There was free press and individualism was encouraged. Another similar policy was Perestroika which literally means restructuring. This was meant to rebuild the Soviet political and economic systems. Both of these decrees were successful.
Gorbachev: Public Speaking
Not only could Gorbachev work behind the scenes well, he could also play the part. He was consistently able to present to his country well.