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Mikhail Gorbachev

Definition

Mikhail Gorbachev was the last General Secretary of the Soviet Union, serving from 1985 until its dissolution in 1991. He is known for his policies of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring), which aimed to modernize the Soviet economy and political system.

Analogy

Think of Gorbachev as a software developer trying to update an old, glitchy app (the Soviet Union). He tried to fix bugs and add new features (glasnost and perestroika), but ultimately, the app was too outdated and had to be replaced entirely.

Related terms

Perestroika: This term refers to Gorbachev's policy of economic restructuring in the Soviet Union. It aimed at reforming the centralized economic system by introducing elements of free-market capitalism.

Cold War: The period of geopolitical tension between the United States and the Soviet Union following World War II. During this time, leaders like Gorbachev played crucial roles in shaping global politics.

Dissolution of the Soviet Union: This event marked the end of the Cold War era. Under Gorbachev's leadership, political changes led to a series of republics declaring independence from Moscow, leading to the collapse of USSR in 1991.