Quick questions on Gorbachev and Soviet reform explained: O-Level History

By the time Gorbachev became Soviet leader in 1985, the Soviet Union was in serious trouble. Its economy was stagnant and inefficient, falling further and further behind the West, and unable to provide ordinary people with a good standard of living. The system was riddled with corruption and held back by excessive central control and secrecy. On top of this, the Cold War arms race was enormously expensive, and the Soviet Union could not afford to keep matching American military spending, especially as the United States increased its spending in the early 1980s.

Gorbachev's first major reform policy was glasnost, meaning "openness". This allowed much greater freedom of speech and information than the Soviet people had ever known. Criticism of the government and discussion of the country's problems, long forbidden, became possible. The press was freer, and previously hidden failings could be exposed and debated.

The second main policy was perestroika, meaning "restructuring". This aimed to reform the failing Soviet economy and make it more efficient. It involved relaxing the rigid central control of the economy, allowing some limited private enterprise and giving managers more freedom. The goal was to modernise the economy and improve people's lives without abandoning socialism entirely.

Just as important for the Cold War was Gorbachev's "new thinking" in foreign policy. He understood that the Soviet Union could not afford the arms race and that confrontation with the West was draining its resources. So he sought to ease tension, improve relations with the United States, and reduce nuclear weapons. He held summit meetings with American leaders and signed agreements to cut arms.

What did the policies of glasnost and perestroika mean? [3 marks]

Explain why the Soviet Union could not afford to continue the arms race in the 1980s. [5 marks]

"Gorbachev's reforms were the main reason the Cold War ended." How far do you agree? [8 marks]