Mikhail Gorbachev

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Mikhail Gorbachev

For my biography project, I chose to research Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev. A man of many accomplishments, and bold decisions that shaped a country unlike ever before. A man who lived by the words “If not me, who? And if not now, when?” - Mikhail Sergeyevich Gorbachev

Early Life: Mikhail Gorbachev was born on March 2nd, 1931 in Privolnoye, Russia. He was born into a peasant Russian-Ukrainian family, his father worked as a combine driver on government owned farms, likewise his mother showed tireless work ethic with her lifelong toil on a collective farm. Mikhail experienced the famous Soviet famine of 1932–1933. He recalled in a memoir that "In that terrible year (1933) nearly half the population of my native …show more content…

Elections to the Congress of People's Deputies were inserted throughout the Soviet Union in March and April months of 1989. This was the first free election in the Soviet Union since 1917; with this new political concept implemented, Gorbachev became the Chairman of the Supreme Soviet on the 25th of may 1989. The only step left in the political ladder was to become the leader of the Soviet Union. On March 15th 1990, Gorbachev was elected as the first President of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev wanted to change the whole concept of how the soviet union ran. Due to his leading role in the peace process which today characterizes important parts of the international community, (NobelPrize.Org) Mikhail was awarded the Nobel Peace prize in 1990.

Glasnost & Perestroika: "Perestroika" (rebuilding) and "Glasnost" (freedom of speech) were Mikhail Gorbachev's watchwords for the rebuild of the Soviet Union which he pursued as general secretary of the Communist Party from 1985 until 1991. He shocked many Soviet citizens when he announced the ability for citizens to freely voice their opinions (glasnost) and the need to entirely restructure the Soviet Union's economy (perestroika). Gorbachev opened the door to allow Soviet citizens to travel, cracked down on alcohol abuse, and pushed for the use of computers and technology. He wanted to show a sense of equalness throughout the country. He released many political prisoners, clearly showing that he believes in

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