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The Collapse of the Soviet Union: The History of the USSR Under Mikhail Gorbachev
*Includes pictures
*Includes a bibliography for further reading
The Cold War moved into one of its most dangerous phases after Brezhnev's death as both sides deployed nuclear weapons within alarming proximity in Europe. A NATO exercise, "Operation Able Archer," almost led to a Soviet miscalculation, and when the Soviets shot down a South Korean airliner in September 1983, claiming it had strayed into Soviet airspace, the Cold War became very tense indeed.
After going through three elderly leaders in three years, Mikhail Gorbachev was chosen as the new General Secretary at the relatively youg age of 54 in March 1985. Gorbachev hoped to build the Soviet economy to relieve the persistent shortages of consumer goods it faced, which were caused by enormous military spending of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev tried to introduce some economic reforms, but they were blocked by communist hardliners. Gorbachev then came to the belief that the Soviet economy could not improved without political reform as well.
Limited political reforms, such as broadcasting uncensored debates in which politicians openly questioned government policy, backfired when they energized eastern European opposition movements which began to overthrow their communist governments in 1989. Gorbachev was unwilling to reoccupy these eastern European nations and use the Soviet army to put down these revolts.
Inspired by the revolts in Eastern Europe, the small Soviet Baltic republics, which had long chafed under Russian rule, also began to clamor for independence from the Soviet Union. In 1990, Gorbachev allowed non-Communist party politicians to run for office throughout the Soviet Union, and the Communist Party lost to independence candidates in six Soviet republics, including the three Baltic republics. The Baltic republics then declared independence from the Soviet Union.
In comparison with other Soviet leaders, Gorbachev was leader of the USSR for a relatively short period, but the changes that took place under his leadership were monumental, including some that were intended and others that were unforeseen. Gorbachev oversaw the end of the Cold War and the peaceful transition away from communism in Central and Eastern Europe, and he ended the war in Afghanistan and many other proxy conflicts in the developing world. Gorbachev improved relations with the West and developed enough trust with President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush to decommission thousands of nuclear weapons. He also liberalized the political environment within the Soviet Union itself, increased accountability, and brought in a certain degree of democracy.
Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for these efforts in 1990, but his regime also left a legacy of turbulence and destruction in its wake. As a result of his policies, many Soviet people rose up against the status quo, demanding national self-determination and reviving old grievances. Gorbachev could not prevent the USSR from disbanding at the end of 1991, leaving much of the country's economy in ruins and nationalist and ethnic conflicts that are still unresolved today. Gorbachev was more popular abroad than he was at home, and in many respects, historians are still debating the costs and benefits of the last Soviet General Secretary's approach.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union: The History of the USSR Under Mikhail Gorbachev examines the final years of their empire, and how it all came crashing down in a relatively short period of time. Along with pictures of important people and places, you will learn about the collapse of the Soviet Union like never before.
*Includes a bibliography for further reading
The Cold War moved into one of its most dangerous phases after Brezhnev's death as both sides deployed nuclear weapons within alarming proximity in Europe. A NATO exercise, "Operation Able Archer," almost led to a Soviet miscalculation, and when the Soviets shot down a South Korean airliner in September 1983, claiming it had strayed into Soviet airspace, the Cold War became very tense indeed.
After going through three elderly leaders in three years, Mikhail Gorbachev was chosen as the new General Secretary at the relatively youg age of 54 in March 1985. Gorbachev hoped to build the Soviet economy to relieve the persistent shortages of consumer goods it faced, which were caused by enormous military spending of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev tried to introduce some economic reforms, but they were blocked by communist hardliners. Gorbachev then came to the belief that the Soviet economy could not improved without political reform as well.
Limited political reforms, such as broadcasting uncensored debates in which politicians openly questioned government policy, backfired when they energized eastern European opposition movements which began to overthrow their communist governments in 1989. Gorbachev was unwilling to reoccupy these eastern European nations and use the Soviet army to put down these revolts.
Inspired by the revolts in Eastern Europe, the small Soviet Baltic republics, which had long chafed under Russian rule, also began to clamor for independence from the Soviet Union. In 1990, Gorbachev allowed non-Communist party politicians to run for office throughout the Soviet Union, and the Communist Party lost to independence candidates in six Soviet republics, including the three Baltic republics. The Baltic republics then declared independence from the Soviet Union.
In comparison with other Soviet leaders, Gorbachev was leader of the USSR for a relatively short period, but the changes that took place under his leadership were monumental, including some that were intended and others that were unforeseen. Gorbachev oversaw the end of the Cold War and the peaceful transition away from communism in Central and Eastern Europe, and he ended the war in Afghanistan and many other proxy conflicts in the developing world. Gorbachev improved relations with the West and developed enough trust with President Ronald Reagan and President George H.W. Bush to decommission thousands of nuclear weapons. He also liberalized the political environment within the Soviet Union itself, increased accountability, and brought in a certain degree of democracy.
Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for these efforts in 1990, but his regime also left a legacy of turbulence and destruction in its wake. As a result of his policies, many Soviet people rose up against the status quo, demanding national self-determination and reviving old grievances. Gorbachev could not prevent the USSR from disbanding at the end of 1991, leaving much of the country's economy in ruins and nationalist and ethnic conflicts that are still unresolved today. Gorbachev was more popular abroad than he was at home, and in many respects, historians are still debating the costs and benefits of the last Soviet General Secretary's approach.
The Collapse of the Soviet Union: The History of the USSR Under Mikhail Gorbachev examines the final years of their empire, and how it all came crashing down in a relatively short period of time. Along with pictures of important people and places, you will learn about the collapse of the Soviet Union like never before.
- GenresHistoryNonfiction
60 pages, Paperback
Published June 25, 2019
67 people are currently reading
44 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 28, 2021
This book met my desires perfectly. Neat and clear descriptions of events leading up to and through the Gorbachev years and ultimate dissolution of the USSR. This helped me contextualize the events at Chernobyl. Good quick read.
September 18, 2020
This offering by Charles River Editors provides a few known and many unknown aspects of the collapse of the Russian "Empire". It also brings forth the perils of rushing into transformation. The much needed "revolution" ushered in by Gorbachov also brought in chaos.
January 16, 2022
Review
Book - " The collapse of the Soviet union - The history of the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev "
Author - " Charles River Editors "
Genre - " Non - Fiction "
The 20th century was a tumultuous year for most of the part and one country made a major change not only in its social structure but economic conditions as well. This had positive and devastating effects on its citizens and the countries surrounding them.
As the title suggests, I'm talking about Russia. With the fall of the centuries old tsar monarchy and the rise of the bolsheviks with their communism, the nation saw great leaders rein the country with an iron hand.
From Lenin , Joseph Stalin, Khrushchev , the less known Brezhnev , Mikhail Gorbachev to Vladimir Putin. Each left a lasting mark whose repurcurssions are felt till date.
This book covers the time when the younger Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in a cold war torn world with the nuclear threats looming large and waiting to plunge the world into a world war 3.
Mikhail Gorbachev did what other leaders never tried or even imagined to do in a communist world. With his glasnost and perestroika, he wipped a magic wand which brought changes unforeseen by the west or the world in general.
His humanistic approach was both a boon and bane ending the cold war, Afganistan war, collapse of the Berlin wall and ultimately let to downfall of the erstwhile Soviet union.
All history and international relation fans, do check this book for a brief glimpse of the man who steered the course of history for good.
Book - " The collapse of the Soviet union - The history of the USSR under Mikhail Gorbachev "
Author - " Charles River Editors "
Genre - " Non - Fiction "
The 20th century was a tumultuous year for most of the part and one country made a major change not only in its social structure but economic conditions as well. This had positive and devastating effects on its citizens and the countries surrounding them.
As the title suggests, I'm talking about Russia. With the fall of the centuries old tsar monarchy and the rise of the bolsheviks with their communism, the nation saw great leaders rein the country with an iron hand.
From Lenin , Joseph Stalin, Khrushchev , the less known Brezhnev , Mikhail Gorbachev to Vladimir Putin. Each left a lasting mark whose repurcurssions are felt till date.
This book covers the time when the younger Mikhail Gorbachev came to power in a cold war torn world with the nuclear threats looming large and waiting to plunge the world into a world war 3.
Mikhail Gorbachev did what other leaders never tried or even imagined to do in a communist world. With his glasnost and perestroika, he wipped a magic wand which brought changes unforeseen by the west or the world in general.
His humanistic approach was both a boon and bane ending the cold war, Afganistan war, collapse of the Berlin wall and ultimately let to downfall of the erstwhile Soviet union.
All history and international relation fans, do check this book for a brief glimpse of the man who steered the course of history for good.
June 13, 2025
El colapso de La Unión soviética es un pequeño libro introductorio hacia los sucesos y los entresijos que ocurrieron antes de la caída de este gigantesco bloque político y social que desapareció en 1991. Para aquellos que vivimos los hechos, el suceso era una especie de novela de ciencia ficción: nunca nadie había pensado que la unión soviética fuera a desaparecer. pero tampoco sabíamos el peso y las tensiones que se estaban desarrollando adentro y que en cualquier momento iban a explotar llevándonos tal vez a una tercera guerra mundial. mijaíl gorbachov el artífice de la glassnodt y la perestroika nunca imaginó que su reforma terminara en la disolución de la URSS. la pregunta que me hago ahora es ¿acabara ocurriendo lo mismo con los Estados Unidos?
Es una buena introducción aunque sí creo que le falta bastante.
Es una buena introducción aunque sí creo que le falta bastante.
March 9, 2024
A brief history of the collapse of the Soviet Union, including some background on the challenges faced by its leaders. Despite its extremely short length of only about 100 pages, it's impressive how the author has managed to condense so much information into such a small volume.
May 22, 2025
Postanowiłem obie przypomnieć najważniejsze fakty związane z rozpadem Związku Radzieckiego i dlatego sięgnąłem po tą pozycję. Jak zwykle Charles River Editors mnie nie zawiedli. Swietnie podsumowali wszystkie wydarzenia związane z rozpadem ZSRR.
January 12, 2021
Good summary of the end of USSR
Characters and milestones captured very well enabling an informative and easy read. With a stack of useful references for more information.
Characters and milestones captured very well enabling an informative and easy read. With a stack of useful references for more information.
February 16, 2025
Only the introduction and the 😊😊last section are read
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews