Mikhail Gorbachev was a Soviet politician who served as the leader of the Soviet Union from 1985 until its dissolution in 1991. He is best known for his reforms known as “glasnost” (openness) and “perestroika” (restructuring), which aimed to modernize the Soviet economy and promote greater transparency and freedom of information in the government. Gorbachev’s policies played a significant role in the end of the Cold War and the transition of Eastern European countries towards democracy. His leadership was marked by efforts to reduce nuclear tensions and improve relations with the West, but it also faced significant internal challenges. Gorbachev’s tenure ultimately culminated in the collapse of the Soviet Union, leading to the establishment of independent republics. He remains a controversial figure, celebrated for his role in promoting peace and reform but also criticized for the economic turmoil and unrest during the transition period.
The late 20th century saw the unexpected collapse of the Soviet Union, significantly reshaping global geopolitics. Mikhail Gorbachev, through policies like glasnost and perestroika, intended to reform, not dissolve, the…