The Gorbachev Era

The Gorbachev Era refers to the leadership of Mikhail Gorbachev, the Soviet Union’s last president (1985-1991). He introduced reforms like *glasnost* (openness) and *perestroika* (restructuring) aimed at modernizing the economy and increasing transparency. These changes eased political repression but also loosened the USSR’s control over Eastern Europe and its own republics, leading to increased independence movements. Gorbachev’s policies helped reduce Cold War tensions and ultimately contributed to the peaceful end of the Soviet Union in 1991. His leadership marked a significant shift toward openness and reform in Soviet history.