Mikhail Gorbachev

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MIKHAIL GORBACHEV
Politics
Born: March 2, 1931
Privolnoye, Russia

"The guilt of Stalin and his immediate entourage before the party and the people for the mass repressions and lawlessness they committed is enormous and unforgivable."

Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev became General Secretary of the Communist party of the USSR in March 1985 during the swiftest transition of power in Soviet history. Gorbachev paved the way for a program of sweeping reforms of the Soviet system, which collectively became known as "perestroika" ("restructuring"). In 1988 he began to incorporate support for perestroika through changes in the party system. In 1989 he was elected Head of State and in 1990 he became Executive President. But the promising revolution he started led to a near collapse of the Russian economy, the demise of the Communist party and declarations of independence from the republics within the Soviet Union. Though popular abroad, Gorbachev eventually lost support and was succeeded by Boris Yeltsin.

1. Mikhail Gorbachev was the Secretary of the _________ party of the USSR.


2. The word "prestorika" means "______________".


3. The revolution he started led to a near collapse of the Russian ________.


4. He eventually lost support and was succeeded by _____ _______.


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