Effect of Gorbachev's Glasnost and Perestroika reforms was to destroy rather than to rebuild Soviet society.' Discuss. Mikhail Gorbachev grew up with the new optimism

The first 200 words of this essay...

* 'The effect of Gorbachev's Glasnost and Perestroika reforms was to destroy rather than to rebuild Soviet society.' Discuss.

Mikhail Gorbachev grew up with the new optimism and desire for improvement under Khrushchev. He quickly worked his way up the political ladder, becoming Party secretary for agriculture in the CPSU in 1978. In 1980, he became a member of the Politburo and, after a period of uncertainty during which time Andropov and Chernekov followed in quick succession, Gorbachev was appointed head of the Party and the country in March 1985. He was the seventh leader of the CPSU and many viewed him as a new and dynamic leader who was ready and willing to make changes. He was viewed as a 'frontier' leader, i.e. his frontier lay between the almost defunct Soviet regime and an unknown future. He is considered as being on of the most notable statesman in twentieth century Russian history, second only to Lenin. Almost immediately, Gorbachev set about reforming the Soviet Union. He had had his reform agenda set out as early as December 1984, however the details were vague.

Perestroika, which translates to English as restructuring, was Gorbachev's plan for all areas of