Mikhail Gorbachev

Who was Gorbachev?

Mikhail Gorbachev was the eighth and final leader of the Soviet Union.

When was Gorbachev in power?

Gorbachev was leader from 1985 to 1991, when the Soviet Union collapsed.

What was the economy like under Gorbachev?

When Gorbachev came to power he inherited a poor economy due to the Afghan war.

What was Gorbachev's new thinking?

Gorbachev wanted to rebuild the economy, so he introduced the policies of 'glasnost' (openness) and 'perestroika' (economic restructuring).

Did Gorbachev bring an end to the Soviet Union?

He is believed by many to have caused the fall of the Soviet Union.