Gorbachev's Reforms

Mikhail Gorbachev, the last leader of the Soviet Union, introduced key reforms in the 1980s to modernize the country. "Glasnost" promoted openness in government and society, allowing more freedom of expression and reducing censorship. "Perestroika" aimed to restructure the economy, encouraging limited market reforms and private ownership to boost productivity. These efforts were intended to revitalize the stagnant Soviet system but ultimately led to greater demands for political freedoms and national independence, contributing to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991. Gorbachev's reforms are often seen as pivotal moments in 20th-century history.