Policy of “Reconstruction” of December incident of 1986 in Almaty. Lecture № 49+50

BRIEF CONTENTS: 1.Policy of M. S. Gorbachev( y.) 2.Reasons of December incident Course of events. Results and historical meaning.

1.Policy of M. S. Gorbachev( y.) Mikhail Gorbachev ( ) is the first and last President of USSR

Gorbachev initiated new policy - Perestroika (“restructuring”) and its attendant radical reforms in 1986 year at the XXVII th Party Congress in February–March The new policy of "reconstruction" was introduced in an attempt to overcome the economic stagnation by creating a dependable and effective mechanism for accelerating economic and social progress.

Gorbachev was a revolutionary leader for the USSR, as he was the first to promote liberalization of the political landscape (Glasnost-freedom of speech) and capitalist elements into the economy; prior to this, the USSR had been strictly prohibiting liberal reform and maintained an inefficient centralized economy.

1988 would see Gorbachev's introduction of glasnost, which gave the Soviet people greater freedom of speech. The press became far less controlled, and thousands of political prisoners and many dissidents were released. Gorbachev's goal in undertaking glasnost was to pressure conservatives within the CPSU.

The first meeting of two super states

Gorbachev was largely hailed in the West for his 'new thinking' in foreign affairs. He sought to improve relations and trade with the West by reducing Cold War tensions. He established close relationships with several Western leaders, such as West German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, U.S. President Ronald Reagan, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher—who famously remarked: "I like Mr. Gorbachev; we can do business together."

2.Reasons of December incident Since April, 1985 in the USSR the democracy and publicity is officially proclaimed. But despite it in Kazakhstan in December, The communist party individually, without participation of the people made the decision on change of the first secretary of Kazakhstan. Long time was (about 20 years) D. Kunayev, and now there was Kolbin.

Dinmukhamed Kunaev- the first Secretary of Communist party in Kazakhstan from 1964 till 1986 yy.

3. Course of events. Results and historical meaning. This was cold winter’s morning. People from different regions of Kazakhstan came to the central squares of their towns and started to protest. A lot of people in Almaty came to the central square, the majority of them were students, this dates is connected with political situation in that period. The head of our country – Kunaev was supposed to be replaced by another leader. However, people didn’t like such change.

The movement in the square in Almaty started to be unruly. Government couldn’t calm down young people. Police asked students to go home but they didn’t. Then they revealed more severe measures. Police opened the cold water and then opened the fire. Their army didn’t look whether it was man or woman. A lot of people were killed but those who survived were taken to prison.

The Historical meaning After 1991 Nazarbayev reclaimed the role of the Kazakh youth in the December events still remains understudied. Many Kazakhstani political scientists, experts and historians so estimate this event : -it was democracy in its essence, whereby a movement of young people, who believed in the slogans of perestroika (glasnost, freedom of speech, democracy),

- it was a movement of nationalist character, showing the Kazakh people’s dissatisfaction about their status and, especially, the disappointing position of the Kazakh language. Later N. Nazarbayev will sign the special decree about Independence Day celebration on December 16 as first attempt to independence.

Thank you for the your attention!!!