Glasnost

GlasnostGlasnost means

“openness” or “publicity”.

Gorbachev wanted glasnost so he could explain the reasoning behind the decisions.

However, he did NOT advocate complete freedom of speech.

“Perestroika, Democracy, Glasnost, Reforms!”

Motives for GlasnostThere were 2 main reasons

for glasnost:1. Gorbachev wanted people to

understand that changes were necessary through open debate.

2. Gorbachev wanted to highlight corruption and incompetence so it could be rooted out.

Unfortunately, the Chernobyl disaster demonstrated the flaws in glasnost. The Soviet media were silent on the accident while the rest of the world’s media gave it undivided attention. Chernobyl disaster and its

effects

TaskExplain the Chernobyl disaster using the

“Explore the detail” box on p.144.Under sub-title, “Yakovlev and glasnost”

explain who Yakovlev was and the effects of glasnost using p.145.

Draw an opinion continuum of those who agreed with glasnost and those who didn’t. Place the three groups on p.146 on the continuum and take notes of why they should be there.

Evaluation of glasnost and perestroikaList 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).

DebateYou 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.

EssayHow new were the concepts of glasnost

and perestroika in the USSR?

Why the economy declinedAlthough the economy

was in a bad way by 1985 when Gorbachev came to power, at least it was sill working.

It was perestroika that appeared to be making the situation worse.

Overall, it seemed the worst features of the old system were actually exaggerated.

TaskYou are to take notes on the reasons why

the economy failed.From the 2nd paragraph under “Why the

economy declined” on p.148 to the second from last paragraph on p.149.

The contradictions of Gorbachev’s economicsBy 1991, the Soviet economy was neither one thing

or another.The old central control mechanisms were being

dismantled yet the new market based economy was restricted.

A true market economy was something Gorbachev neither wanted or understood.

His economic policies were really a hotchpotch of initiatives which were not thought through and lacked support from the Party and public.

Furthermore, these economic reforms were being introduced during a time of major political change and instability.