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Gorbachev's Accession
After the death of Andropov in 1984, followed by Chernenko’s passing the following year, it became clear that younger leadership was needed. So, three hours after Chernenko’s death, the Politburo elected Gorbachev as General Secretary. At the age of 54, Gorbachev was the youngest among the Politburo. -
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Gorbachev's Accomplishments during the Cold War
From March 11th, 1985 to December 25th, 1991. -
SS-20s Deployment Suspension
Gorbachev made a suspension announcement of the deployment of SS-20s in Europe. This was a move towards resolving intermediate-range nuclear weapons (INF) issues. -
The January Proposal
The purpose of the January Proposal was for the elimination of intermediate-range nuclear weapons in Europe and a strategy for eliminating all nuclear weapons by the year 2000. -
Policy of Perestroika
The Perestroika, meaning 'restructuring', was an attempt to democratize the Soviet political system and overcome conomic stagnation by creating a dependable and effective mechanism for accelerating economic and social progress. -
INF Treaty
An agreement to destroy all existing stocks of intermediate-range nuclear-tipped missiles in their countries, signed by the U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev. -
Law on Cooperatives
This law permitted private ownership of businesses in the service, manufacturing, and foreign-trade sectors. Initially, this law imposed high taxes and employment restrictions, and although these were ignored by some SSRs, the restrictions were later revised in order to avoid discouraging private-sector activity. -
Abandon the Brezhnev Doctrine
Announcement to the Soviet Union of a policy of non-intervention in the affairs of the Warsaw Pact states and allow the Eastern bloc nations to freely determine their own internal affairs. -
Policy of Glasnost
The policy of Glastnost, meaning 'openess', expanded the freedoms of expression and information. The press and broadcasting were now allowed unprecedented candour in reportage and criticism and the country’s legacy of Stalinist totalitarian rule was soon completely repudiated. -
The August Coup of 1991
In August of 1991, a group of hard-liners launched a coup in an attempt to remove Gorbachev from power and prevent the signing of the new union treaty. Gorbachev was then put under house arrest from the 19th of August to the 21st. After he was freed and his power was restored, he found that neither union nor Russian power structures would heed his commands. -
Gorbachev Resigns
After the failed August coup, Gorbachev advised the Central Committee to dissolve and disbanded all party units within the government on the 24th of August. The country then began to deteriorate rapidly. Eventually, he resigned on the 25th of December, and the Soviet Union was dissolved.
