Evaluation of glasnost and perestroika List the main reforms of Gorbachev

under two headings/spider diagrams: “political” and “economic”. For each reform make a judgement on whether it was a success (write this is a different colour).

Debate You are going to look

at opposition to Gorbachev’s reforms.

One group will argue that “liberal opposition” was the greater threat, whilst the other will argue “conservative opposition” was the most serious.

THE IMPACT OF NATIONALISM IN THE BREAK-UP OF THE USSR

Exam question

Answer question 1 on p.173 Use p.174-7 to help, as it almost

answers the question for you.

The threat of nationalism

When Gorbachev came to power, his focus was on political and economic reforms.

However, it was nationalism which would end up seriously threatening the existence of the Soviet Union.

Various Republics of the Soviet Union

Nationalism within the Soviet Union Explain the position of the Soviet

Republics under Stalin using p.157 under “A closer look”.

Brezhnev and nationalism

Brezhnev tried to resurrect Stalin’s policy of creating a new “Soviet community”.

The Russian language was promoted and became important when seeking promotion.

Non-Russian culture and literature were restricted.

Brezhnev gave the Republics considerable leeway in return for their loyalty. This created corruption amongst Republic’s elite.

Gorbachev and nationalism

Gorbachev’s reforms had the effect of weakening Moscow’s control over the Republics. This was due to the changes in political institutions and because of the loss in power for the CPSU.

Furthermore, glasnost provided a opportunity for minority ethnic groups within certain Republics to voice their discontent.

Task

You are to create a presentation on the following Republics/regions: Nagorno-Karabakh & Belorussia (1 person) Georgia & Ukraine (1 person) The Baltic states (2 people)

For each example, determine to what extent the problem was of Gorbachev’s making, and to what extent it was ‘a problem waiting to happen’.