Pearson Edexcel · A-Level · History
Course version: 9HI0 · Version from Sept 2015
The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 5 Gorbachev and the downfall of…
Full specification wording
Paper 3, Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 5 Gorbachev and the downfall of Soviet communism, 1985–91: Impacts of glasnost and perestroika: treatment of dissidents, including Sakharov; new appointments, including Yeltsin; attempts at administrative reform and to tackle alcoholism.
Glasnost, meaning openness, and perestroika, meaning restructuring, changed Soviet politics and society.
Checked against the Pearson Edexcel 9HI0 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 3
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Glasnost, meaning openness, and perestroika, meaning restructuring, changed Soviet politics and society. Dissidents faced less repression: Andrei Sakharov was released from internal exile in 1986 and later elected to the Congress of People's Deputies. New appointments brought reformers into government, including Boris Yeltsin, whose criticism of the slow pace of change made him a focus of opposition. Administrative reforms aimed to reduce party control and introduce competitive elections, but they also weakened central authority. Attempts to tackle alcoholism included raising prices, limiting sales and closing distilleries, but they damaged state revenue and led to illegal brewing. These impacts were uneven and contributed to instability.
What earns the marks
- Explains how glasnost changed the treatment of dissidents, using Sakharov as a key example.
- Analyses how perestroika and new appointments, including Yeltsin, altered the political landscape.
- Assesses attempts at administrative reform, such as reducing party control and introducing competitive elections.
- Evaluates the impact of anti-alcohol measures, including their economic and social consequences.
- Explains how these changes contributed to instability and the downfall of Soviet communism.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Confusing glasnost with perestroika.
Put it right: Glasnost means openness and greater freedom of information, while perestroika means economic and political restructuring.
Assuming Sakharov remained a prisoner throughout the 1980s.
Put it right: He was released from internal exile in 1986 and later became an elected deputy.
Treating the anti-alcohol campaign as wholly successful.
Put it right: It reduced some consumption but caused revenue loss and illegal production.
Exam tips
- Define glasnost and perestroika briefly at the start of an answer to show understanding.
- Use specific names and dates, such as Sakharov's release in 1986 or Yeltsin's appointment in 1985, to support analysis.
- Link each impact back to the question, explaining how it weakened or changed the Soviet system.
Try the lesson
The start of the Paper 3, Option 38.1: The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 5 Gorbachev and the downfall of Soviet communism, 1985–91: Impacts of glasnost and perestroika: treatment of dissidents, including Sakharov; new appointments, including Yeltsin; attempts at administrative reform and to tackle alcoholism. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which prominent dissident was allowed to return to Moscow from internal exile in 1986 as a direct result of glasnost?
Listen
Glasnost, meaning openness, and perestroika, meaning restructuring, changed Soviet politics and society. Dissidents faced less repression: Andrei Sakharov was released from internal exile in 1986 and later elected to the Congress of People's Deputies. New appointments brought reformers into government, including Boris Yeltsin, whose criticism of the slow pace of change made him a focus of opposition. Administrative reforms aimed to reduce party control and introduce competitive elections, but they also weakened central authority. Attempts to tackle alcoholism included raising prices, limiting sales and closing distilleries, but they damaged state revenue and led to illegal brewing. These impacts were uneven and contributed to instability. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Explains how glasnost changed the treatment of dissidents, using Sakharov as a key example. Analyses how perestroika and new appointments, including Yeltsin, altered the political landscape. Assesses attempts at administrative reform, such as reducing party control and introducing competitive elections. Evaluates the impact of anti-alcohol measures, including their economic and social consequences. A common slip: Confusing glasnost with perestroika. Instead, glasnost means openness and greater freedom of information, while perestroika means economic and political restructuring. Exam tip: Define glasnost and perestroika briefly at the start of an answer to show understanding.
Key words
Say what each word means before you turn the card.
Glasnost
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Perestroika
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Dissidents
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Administrative reform
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See every definition
- Glasnost
- Openness and greater freedom of information, which meant dissidents faced less repression.
- Perestroika
- Economic and political restructuring, which changed Soviet politics and society.
- Dissidents
- People who faced less repression under glasnost, such as Andrei Sakharov, who was released from internal exile in 1986.
- Administrative reform
- Attempts to reduce party control and introduce competitive elections, which also weakened central authority.
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