15.5 reading check and Q’s – Flashcards

Gorbachev's policies led to unrest across the Soviet empire. Eastern Europeans demaded an end to Soviet rule. A powerful democracy movement was sweeping the region. Gorbachev declared that he would not interfere. One by one communist governments fell and independent nations formed.

Gorbachev urged forms. He called for glasnost. He ended censorship and encouraged people to discuss the country's problems. He also called for a restructuring of government and economy, which led to unrest across the Soviet empire. This led to the end of communism.

Most changes happened peacefully. The Baltic States regained independence. Remaining Soviet republics had all formed independent nations. East German leaders resisted reform and East Germans fled to the west. Hungarians and Czechs challenge the communist rulers.

There were mixed reactions to America's positon as the sole superpower because the US was leading the arms race, which caused some to be alarmed. Some countries strived to keep up with the US, which strained their government and economy.

central control was cumbersome . workers lacked incentive.

Gorbachev instituted reforms that allowed for criticism of the govt and increased in private enterprise reforms encouraged opposition to the soviet system.

in the 1980's Gorbachev said that the soviet union would not interfere with reforms in EE.

america emerged as the world's sole superpower