© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance What impact did Mikhail Gorbachev have on ending the Cold War?

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Objectives In this activity you will: Explore why the Cold War ended. Assess what part Gorbachev played in ending the Cold War.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Who was Mikhail Gorbachev? He became leader of the Soviet Union in He was a moderniser, who realised his country was lagging behind and could no longer afford the Cold War. He introduced Perestroika (restructuring) and Glasnost (openness). He allowed Eastern Europe to break free from Communist rule in He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1990.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance How did Gorbachev end the Cold War? Gorbachev realised that things needed to change. Perestroika meant that the Soviet Government was no longer in control of all of the economy and industry. Glasnost meant that it was easier to speak out without fear of arrest. It was Gorbachev who advised East German leaders to led people cross the Berlin Wall.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance How did Gorbachev end the Cold War?

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance How did Gorbachev end the Cold War?

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance But was it all down to Gorbachev? Some historians, such as the American Joseph Nye, say the Cold War was going to end anyway – the Soviet Union simply could not keep up with NATO. Whoever had become leader in 1985 would have been forced to end the war.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance But was it all down to Gorbachev? Others say that Gorbachev needed a leader like Ronald Reagan to help him. Regan and Gorbachev got on well together and both believed in negotiations as the way forward.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance A bringer of peace? Mikhail Gorbachev was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in Ronald Regan once said, ‘Mr Gorbachev deserves most of the credit for ending the Cold War’. The Soviet Union itself broke up on 25 December Millions of people praised Gorbachev for this as it gave them their freedom.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance How did Gorbachev end the Cold War? Which of the following answers to the above question are correct? Gorbachev introduced Glasnost. He avoided tension with the USA wherever possible. He withdrew troops from Afghanistan. He got on very well personally with Reagan. He tightened Communist grip on Eastern Europe. He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance How did Gorbachev end the Cold War? Which of the following answers to the above question are correct? Gorbachev split up the Soviet Union in He allowed Eastern European countries to become free of Soviet control. He increased spending on defence. He brought more computers into the Soviet Union. He negotiated with Reagan to cut down nuclear weapons on both sides. He introduced Perestroika.

© HarperCollins Publishers 2010 Significance Your view of Gorbachev Whilst some people think that it was Gorbachev and his policies of Glasnost and Perestroika that ended the Cold War, others say that whoever was in charge of the Soviet Union would have had to end it in the late 1980s. Others give all the credit to Ronald Reagan. Now it’s your turn… what do you think?