The making of modern Russia, 1855–1991 - 5 Gorbachev and the downfall of…

The idea

By 1985 the Soviet system faced multiple pressures making reform urgent. The Afghanistan war drained resources, caused casualties and exposed military limits. Economic stagnation meant low growth, poor quality goods and shortages, worsened by heavy defence spending. The alcohol problem damaged health and productivity; ironically, alcohol sales were a major state revenue source, meaning Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign later caused a financial shortfall. Rising nationalism challenged central control. The Chernobyl disaster of 1986 caused deaths and environmental damage, and its handling undermined trust. Gorbachev's personality and ideas shaped his response. Together these pressures explain why he pursued change.

What earns the marks

• Explains how the Afghanistan war created military, economic and social costs that increased pressure for reform.
• Analyses economic stagnation as a cause of reform, including slow growth, shortages and the burden of defence spending.
• Assesses the alcohol problem as a social and economic impetus, linking it to poor health and productivity, while noting that state reliance on alcohol revenue complicated reform efforts.
• Explains how rising nationalism in republics challenged Soviet unity and encouraged reform or concessions.
• Evaluates the impact of Chernobyl as a trigger for reform, including health, environmental and credibility consequences.
• Analyses Gorbachev's personality and ideas as a decisive factor, including his belief in reforming socialism and openness to new thinking.

Common mistakes and how to put them right

• Treating the Afghanistan war only as a foreign policy failure.

  Put it right: Also link it to domestic costs, such as casualties, expense and loss of trust.

• Assuming economic stagnation was only about shortages.

  Put it right: Include slow growth, poor quality, defence spending and the impact on living standards.

• Claiming the alcohol problem itself reduced state revenue.

  Put it right: Alcohol sales were a major revenue source, and it was Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign that damaged state finances.

Exam tips

• Plan an answer that groups pressures into military, economic, social, national and personal factors, then explain how they interacted.
• Use precise examples, such as the date of the Afghanistan invasion or the 1986 Chernobyl disaster, to support each factor.