Gorbachev & What he did

1985

• Gorbachev became leader in 1985
• He immediately wanted to improve relations with the USA

Internal Reforms

• He knew that the USSR could not continue to compete with the USA in the Arms Race as they couldn't afford it
• Perestroika- restructuring. Gorbachev wanted to change the government that had been in operation since Stalin
• Glasnost- openess in government. People should be able to say what they believe

What did Gorbachev and Reagan do to improve relations?

• Genava 1985- two leaders met but no agreements were made on arms limitations
• Reykjavik 1986- no formal agreements and Reagan refused to drop SDI (Reagan's Strategic Defence Initiative)
• SALT (Strategic Arms Limitation Talks) developed in START- Strategic Arms Reduction Talks

INF Treaty- Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces, 1987

• Removed all medium range nuclear weapons from Europe

Gorbachev signed the INF Treaty because:
- It would increase his popularity in the west
- The Soviet economy could no longer afford nuclear weapons
- Reagan said he had no intention of invading the USSR 

How had relations improved?

• Gorbachev had improved relations as he realised that the USSR could not continue with the Cold War:
  - It was committed to the war in Afghanistan
  - The economy could not continue with the defence spending
  - The USA was ahead in technology because of SDI
• 1989- Gorbachev met with new President George H W Bush and they announced the end of the Cold War

Fall of the Berlin Wall

• November 1989- East German government announced much greater freedom, including crossing the border in west Germany
• East Germans dismantled the wall