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“Bring Down That Wall” 24. What were the main reforms promoted by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev?. USSRestricted Old USSR Mikhail Gorbachev Glasnost 2. The change Perestroika Foreign Policy Democratization 3. Fall of Berlin Wall Berlin Wall Reunification Challenges. Old USSR.
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“Bring Down That Wall”24. What were the main reforms promoted by Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev? USSRestricted Old USSR Mikhail Gorbachev Glasnost 2. The change Perestroika Foreign Policy Democratization 3. Fall of Berlin Wall Berlin Wall Reunification Challenges
Old USSR • Politburo- ruling committee of the communist party • Censorship of newspapers and TV, propaganda. • Restrictions on speech and worship • Brezhnev dies in 1982
Mikhail Gorbachev • Youngest Soviet leader since Stalin • Praised for youth, energy, and speaking skills • Had a different approach to fixing USSR’s stumbling economy.
Glasnost • 1985- policy to ease censorship. Means openness • Allowed churches to open • Released people from prison • Media investigated social and political issues • Protests over simple items like food, soap, and cloths, as all of these took a too long to make.
Perestroika • In farms and factories owners were told by the government what to pay workers, no bonuses on produce output. • Perestroika means economic restructuring. • Owners given more control over factories. • people allowed small private businesses.
Foreign Policy • Troubled Soviet Economy couldn’t keep up in arms race with USA • 87’ Gorbachev signed treaty with Reagan on banning nuclear missiles with certain ranges. • INF- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty • Promoted communist leaders to rethink policies.
Democratization • New policies designed to help economy. • Gradual opening of the political system • Called for people to vote for candidates instead of the people the communist party hand-picked
Berlin Wall • Oct. 89’ protests broke out in East Germany for right to travel freely • New German leader opened Berlin wall. • Berlin erupted in Joyous celebration
Reunification • By the end of 89’ east Germany’s communist party broke down • Some European countries were scared of a unified Germany • Chancellor assured them they were committed to human rights and democracy • After 45 years Germany was united again.
Challenges to Germany • East Germany in ruins • Railroads, education, highways, telephones, and many other infrastructure needed upgrading • Had to raise taxes to fix east Germany, people voted for it. • Had to try and fix large unemployment as well