COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  Reassessment of history  Birth of civil society  Effects went far beyond Gorbachev’s intentions Pamyat’ - Memory COLLAPSE OF THE USSR  Freedom of discussion  Freedom of publication

EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  Youth Culture  “Vanguard of the construction of communism”  Activities directed through official youth organizations  But other youth groups & influences existed COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  Youth Culture  Chief medium = rock music  Similar trends of development as in West COLLAPSE OF THE USSR  Neformalny (informal groups)  Tusovky (youth gatherings)  New view of youth as “lost generation”

COLLAPSE OF THE USSR EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  Conservative Backlash  Negative effects on economy  Suspicion & resistance  Insecurity among managers & Party officials

EFFECTS AND REACTIONS  Fears & Concerns  Ended job security  Ended stable provision of material goods  Upset black market  Increasing deficit & looming inflation COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  The Paradox of democratization  Introduced plurality & terms limits at low-mid levels, but not at top  Would not allow direct elections for presidency  Alienated much of party & but had no popular support  Led to rise of independence movements among non- Russian nationalities COLLAPSE OF THE USSR

EFFECTS OF GORBACHEV’S REFORMS  Collapse of Communism in Eastern Europe  New approach = non- interference  Wanted reform of Stalinist regimes  But whole system discredited  Would not use force once revolutions began COLLAPSE OF THE USSR