The USSR and the Soviet Empire, 1953–2000 (A-level only) – The Gorbachev…

The idea

Mikhail Gorbachev’s dynamic personality and reformist aims contrasted sharply with his predecessors. Leveraging his Politburo power base, he introduced radical policies to save the Soviet system. He initiated 'perestroika' to combat economic stagnation, 'glasnost' to expose past failures, and 'demokratizatsiya' to bypass conservative resistance by engaging the public. Recognising that domestic reform required reducing military expenditure, Gorbachev showed a readiness to end the Cold War. This pragmatism drove the withdrawal of Soviet troops from Afghanistan. He also engaged in pivotal summit meetings with US Presidents, culminating in the decisive 1989 Malta Agreement, which effectively declared an end to the Cold War.

What earns the marks

• Evaluate how Gorbachev's personality and aims differed from previous leaders, enabling him to consolidate a reformist power base.
• Analyse the distinct reasons for introducing perestroika (economic efficiency), glasnost (transparency), and demokratizatsiya (political participation).
• Assess the economic and political motivations behind the Soviet withdrawal from Afghanistan.
• Explain how Gorbachev's readiness to end the Cold War was intrinsically linked to his domestic reform agenda.
• Trace the progression of US-Soviet summit meetings, evaluating their cumulative impact leading up to the Malta Agreement.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating perestroika, glasnost, and demokratizatsiya as a single, undifferentiated reform policy.

  Put it right: Clearly distinguish the specific aims of each policy: economic restructuring, social/political openness, and political democratisation, respectively.

• Claiming Gorbachev aimed to dismantle communism and dissolve the Soviet Union from the start.

  Put it right: Emphasise that his initial aim was to reform and save the communist system, not destroy it.

• Attributing the end of the Cold War solely to US pressure.

  Put it right: Highlight Gorbachev's proactive readiness to end the conflict and his initiation of summit diplomacy to reduce the Soviet military burden.

Exam tips

• When evaluating Gorbachev's foreign policy, explicitly link his diplomatic initiatives, such as the summit meetings, to his need to fund domestic perestroika.
• Use the withdrawal from Afghanistan as a key example of Gorbachev breaking with the Brezhnev Doctrine and prioritising internal reform over external empire.
• Be prepared to discuss how glasnost inadvertently undermined Gorbachev's power base by allowing public criticism of the Soviet system's foundational myths.