What changes did Gorbachev bring to the Soviet Union? Essential Question What changes did Gorbachev bring to the Soviet Union?

What problems were the Soviets facing? By the 1980s, some Soviet leaders began to think about changing the Soviet Union The nation was suffering from many problems that communism could not fix: A weakening economy Shortages of consumer goods Poor working conditions A slow and corrupt government

He was the last leader of the Soviet Union Who led this time of change? One of those reformers became the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985… MIKHAIL GORBACHEV (1985-1991) He was the last leader of the Soviet Union

How did Gorbachev help their problems? Gorbachev believed that the Soviet Union could not afford to continue the arms race with the United States He agreed to talk with US President Reagan 1987 – INF TREATY created Called for the destruction of nuclear weapons

…Gorbachev could put more money into his new programs… What did this lead to? With military spending reduced… …Gorbachev could put more money into his new programs…

What was perestroika? Began in 1986 PERESTROIKA Restructuring the economy Restructuring the government By 1990, non-Communist parties were allowed to organize

“Gorbachev has made the Soviet Union safe for dissent” What was glasnost? In the past, people who criticized the government were: Punished Kicked out of the country Sent to forced labor camps GLASNOST “Gorbachev has made the Soviet Union safe for dissent” A policy of openness – citizens could say or write what they thought without facing punishment

What was demokratizatsiya? Began in 1987 DEMOKRATIZATSIYA Moving toward democracy – more than one Communist candidate could run for office People who wanted to bring changes to the Soviet Union could now have more of a say in the government

How did revolutions affect Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union? Essential Question How did revolutions affect Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union?

Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said he would not interfere Why did changes occur in Eastern Europe? The changes in the Soviet Union caused Eastern European nations to seek changes in their countries Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said he would not interfere

People opposed to communism were elected to lead these countries How did Eastern Europe change? 1989 - Peaceful revolutions occurred in: Poland Hungary Czechoslovakia Romania Bulgaria People opposed to communism were elected to lead these countries

What about Germany? Revolution eventually spread to Germany… Nov. 9, 1989 – The gates of the Berlin Wall are opened The Berlin Wall was torn down in hatred Within a year, Germany was ONE democratic nation

All 15 Soviet republics declared their independence What about the Soviet Union? Communists in the Soviet Union feared a revolution in their country… … they formed a coup and attempted to takeover the government… Russia The coup failed! All 15 Soviet republics declared their independence

What happened to the Soviet Union? The President of Russia outlawed communism Mikhail Gorbachev announced the end of the Soviet Union The Cold War was over!!!

What Russia like after the Cold War? Since the end of the Cold War, there have only been three leaders of Russia Dmitry Medvedev (2008-2012) Boris Yeltsin (1991-1999) Vladimir Putin (2000-2008) (2012-Present)

What changes were brought to Russia? Created a market economy (similar to the United States) Fought against Chechnya (a province that wanted its independence) Allowed the purchase and sale of land (an attempt to boost economic growth) Joined the World Trade Organization in 2012