The Gorbachev Era (1985-91)

1
The Gorbachev Era (1985-91)

• March 11, 1985--Gorbachev becomes General
  Secretary of the Party
• Feb. 25, 1986--outlines policy of Perestroika and
  peaceful co-existence with U.S.
• Apr. 7, 1988--agrees to withdraw troops from
  Afghanistan
• Nov. 10, 1989--Berlin Wall opens
• Aug. 18, 1991--coup fails to oust Gorbachev
• Dec. 25, 1991--resigns after 11 former Soviet
  republics proclaim new Commonwealth of
  Independent States

2
Legacy of the Soviet Economy

• Corruption/bribery
• Laziness of workforce
• Bureaucratic interference
• Waste of resources
• Lack of incentives to excel
• Separation of personal success from commercial
  success
• Inaccurate information on economic results
• Nearly universal shortages of consumer goods and
  services

3
Perestroika

• Attempt to save declining Soviet economy
• Economic reforms proposed
• Anti-alcohol campaign (1985)
• Speeding up production
• Decrease bureaucratic interference
• Cost accounting (1987)
• Cooperatives (1988)
• Laws on privatization of state enterprises (1991)

4
Glasnost

• Openness--let people voice their opinions and
  ideas
• Easy to implement remove previous
  restrictions/censorship
• Chernobyl (1986)
• revolts in the unions of arts (summer 1986)
• 1987 first local multi-candidate elections--must
  receive 50 of vote
• 1989 Congress of Peoples Deputies--contested
  parliamentary election