Mikhail Gorbachev Biography
DIRECTIONS: Please watch the following videos. It in one program broken into three parts. After (or during) each one, please scroll to the bottom of this post and make a comment about something new or interesting you learning about Gobachev and his rise and rule of the Soviet Union. Comment by logging in to your Google Account. You should have at least three comments of about two to three sentences each.
This is a graded assignment. It is due by the end of the day, Wed., March 11.
Part 1 of 3 (15 min.)
Part 2 of 3 (15 min.)
Part 3 of 3 (15 min.)
Please post your comments about something new or interesting that you learned about Gorbachev.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev really liked talking to the media about things like threats.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was very nice to talk to and wasn't intimidating, even though he in a high political position.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was considered to be a traitor. He was overtly critical of the old communist system.
ReplyDeleteHe wanted to improve conditions when becoming a member of the politburo.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev liked to leave his personal life separate from that of his political and job centered life- kept his daughter very separate and she had a pretty normal life, and he brought his wife lunch like he wasn't a party official
ReplyDeleteGorbachev did not have a cold war mentality and really had an open view about Western society and mankind in general.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was a very different leader. He made sure he was photographed and video taped by and with the people.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev would lie to the public or say nothing at all.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was revolutionary compared to previous Soviet leaders. He did not have the typical Cold War mentality and believed there were good things about the West, despite the opposing political system.
ReplyDeleteThe Chernobyl disaster made a fool out of Gorbachev because he kept it such a secret even though it was on such a large scale. He therefore increased glasnost to try and make up for these most recent mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThere was irony with the Chernobyl Disaster and the Glasnost policy because Gorbachev actually lied to the Soviet public and the media kept the truth from the citizens rather than a policy of openness.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev loved talking especially to the media and with newspapers and publishers
ReplyDelete-He was easy to talk and communicate with
-November 1978, appointed secretary of agriculture
-1980 full member of politburo
-He wanted to become leader to change things- could not go on like they were
-He was always photographed while talking with people
He allowed for writer's to be able to publish their own books as the state wouldn't limit people to only reading communist texts anymore.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev was the first senior official who openly talked to the press about what was going on, and he didn't let his daughter be treated in a superior fashion just because of his superior rank.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev was said to have "changed the face of the world"
Even though Gorbachev was all about "Openness" with glasnost, Gorbachev still tried to suppress the information about the Chernobyl disaster from getting to the public.
ReplyDeleteApril 26 1986; Chernobyl occurred and Gorbachev lied until may 14th about what had happened because the Ukraine nuclear power plant exploded under the Soviet Unions authority
ReplyDeleteHe had to wait to become the premier once Andropov and Chernenko to died.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteHe did not let his daughters live a famous life as he could have/
ReplyDelete-He loved talking to the media and was more personal.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev did not come out to the public about the Chernobyl disaster until after.
- Gorbachev tried to win over supporters by showing the real Soviet Union and all the things that actually happened. Showed to the public different videos and how the Soviet Union was actually hiding all information.
He thoughts it was impossible to punish/hurt people for disagreeing with you
ReplyDelete-Millions of people watched the debates on tv.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev believed that you shouldn't kill people in order to be politically superior, and that you can't put people in jail because they don't agree with you or support you
-He had to end the Cold War because the arms race was crippling the Soviet economy.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev believed that people could not be killed or imprisoned for their political views. He dissolved the single-party state by 1991 and was determined to end the Cold War due to the negative impact of the Arms Race on the Soviet economy.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev said on TV that you couldn't kill or imprison people for their political beliefs or because you disagreed with them.
ReplyDeleteThe Gorbachev Soviet Union looks like present North Korea, tanks, launchers, missiles, and the color red. I am actually surprised to see such similarities
ReplyDeleteGorbachev wanted to end the arms race and eliminate all nuclear weapons. He met with Reagan to finalize the end of the arms race.
ReplyDelete-debates where very popular
ReplyDelete-impossible to kill people for disagreeing with you and having different political views as you- MOST IMPORTANT
-he was a good listener
-had charm
-Gorbachev insured a liberation
Even though Gorbachev promised opennesss, and met with the media members, he didn't want to, or intend to, tell anyone about the Chernobyl incident
ReplyDeleteMany of the soldiers from the Soviet union felt betrayed by Gorbachev when he allowed the Berlin wall to be taken down and for Germany to be reunited
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was seen as acting too slowly in the eyes of radicals
ReplyDeleteGorbachev did nothing when warned of a communist coup.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev ignored warnings of a Communist coup and allowed more hardliners into the government which alarmed radical political members
ReplyDeleteNo one was happy with gorbachev efforts it was either to not enough or too much
ReplyDeletetoo much or not
DeleteSoviet troops still continued to cause mass chaos in Lithuania, and kill people and Gorbachev didn't order to the army to stop, or berate them for it
ReplyDelete-US and USSR signed an agreement to decrease nuclear arms
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev neglected the economy which was crumbling and he was doing to little to slow
-He ignored the warnings of a communist coup d'etat and they rebelled against him, surrounded him in his vacation home ,and cut him off while in Moscow the coup was in full swing.
There was a coup that tried to overthrow Gorbachev -- I forgot about that.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that Gorbachev was held against his will making him try and give up his rule, I didn't even know that he went on vacation from his job and was surrounded
ReplyDeleteThe coup tried to break him emotionally instead of forcefully
ReplyDeleteGorbachev resigned and the people blamed him for the downfalls of the country and government.
ReplyDeleteDespite the fact that Gorbachev was for communism and it brought him to power, he was the one that ultimately destroyed the system that helped bring him to such strengths, and he was the one that set about for reform.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev believe people should be put in prosion/ killed for having opposing political views
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev and Reagan had signed an agreement to reduce the nuclear weapons and end the Nuclear War.
- He was not focusing on the economic collapse that was happening.
-He had destroyed the system of the Soviet Union.
I suppose that it's no surprise, but the fact that they banned communism all together was surprising
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was almost overthrown by his own Communist party. He was extremely unpopular in the USSR towards the end of his leadership.
ReplyDeleteWhen he farmed with his father, they and his friend and his father, pulled in a record harvest.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was the leader of a Soviet youth league since the age of 14, he was in the school's drama
ReplyDelete-father treated him with respect
ReplyDelete-he has a birthmark on his head
-studied law
-never forgot his friends/where he lived, down to earth guy
Gorbachev was an ambitious teenager
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev was really popular and went to study law at school.
ReplyDelete- He was a really down to earth guy and was really outgoing and sociable.
-Gorbachev left school to study law
ReplyDelete-He did not know what was right and what was wrong
-Gorbachev was a fan of Stalin
Gorbachev supported Communism early on and the ideals that it stood for such as justice and equality.
ReplyDelete"Gorbachev has always love talking, especially to the media," according to the documentary. It seems that all of the dictators that we have studied are fond of both public speaking and the press.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev never permitted his status to elevate himself or his family unfairly; he seemed very down-to-earth, and had no issued walking into his daughter's school class to deliver a forgotten lunch.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev is quoted to have said that he felt that "time [was] flying so fast," referencing both his increasing age and those of his friends. One may surmise that perhaps this played a role in his hasty, almost 'rushed' policy of introducing new 'reforms' (Glasnost, Perestroika, etc.) very quickly.
ReplyDeleteThe night that Chernenko died, he took a walk and told his wife that 'he and his wife had to change'. Days later, he was unanimously voted into power.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was a fan of speaking openly and enjoyed talking with the press, something very new to the government of the Soviet Union. He was also frustrated when he first gained political power with how difficult it was to actually make change and make a difference.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev "didn't have the cold war mentality" according to the documentary, and often spoke without notes to interact more with the people. He really seems to have been an "out-of-the-box" thinker; perhaps, since the U.S.S.R. was in a process of moving onward from gerontocracy, and perhaps this helped to gain for him support.
ReplyDeleteChernobyl resulted in a strengthening of reforms (namely Glasnost).
ReplyDeleteI agree.
DeleteI respectfully disagree.
DeleteDid you hear about the weatherman?
DeleteGoogle "Al Kaprielian Weather".
DeleteI can't because I don't know how to spell those words.
DeleteGorbachev would speak to Reagan because he didn't feel as divided with the West as previous Soviet leaders did. He was willing to talk with others and acknowledge that peace was important.
ReplyDelete-In 1970, Gorbachev became the first secretary.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev enjoyed talking to the media (newspapers.)
-Gorbachev never allowed his daughter to use the advantages of his current position of power.
Gorbachev was easy to talk to even though he held a higher power. He also didn't have a war mentality.
ReplyDelete-Planned to be a lawyer
ReplyDelete-He loved talking to the media
-Easy to talk to and a good guy - Down to Earth
The Texas weatherman shot outside of the television studio where he works on Monday said he didn't know his attacker and that his recovery has been "a long process, a lot of pain."
ReplyDeletePatrick Crawford, a meteorologist at NBC affiliate KCEN in the Waco area, was shot last Wednesday morning by an unidentified man. Despite reports that the two exchanged words, Crawford said "there was no interaction whatsoever."
"The man that shot me didn't say any words to me," he said. "He just started shooting at me as I was leaving the parking lot. ... I did not know him."
Gorbachev gave up his plan to be a lawyer to become a communist official, he planned on improving the system but it became too strict under Brezhnev, and he decided that he needed to become the leader of the Soviet Union.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was the only senior party official who was open with the press.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev kept hidden the chernobal disaster untill after 3 years. he also decided that the system was broken and needed to be changed
ReplyDelete-It wasn't until May 14th that Gorbachev said anything about the Chernobyl disaster and at that point there was no way to hide it
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev's was open to talking to the media and liked pictures being taken of him in front of the people
more personable than any other premiere was in the USSR (brought lunch for his wife rather than sending someone), revealed Stalin's evilness to all of the USSR, met with Reagan and signed an agreement for open relations between the two countries
ReplyDeleteIn 1989, elections began; delegates debated on television. This was unexpected considering that free speech was 'unheard of'.
ReplyDeleteWhy did the U.S.S.R. die?
ReplyDelete1.) "The arms race was crippling the Soviet economy."
Did I just hear that Gorbachev struggled with foreign affairs? Huh?
ReplyDeleteGorbachev realized that the government system was broken. He decided reform was necessary to help the country and he was determined to make change while he still had control. The public was even able to watch political debates which was unheard of in the Soviet Union. Millions watched.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev refused to use force against protesters. The crowds of East Germans destroyed portions of the Berlin Wall. Many Russians believe that Gorbachev betrayed them by allowing the reunification of Germany
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was opposed by those who thought he wasn't doing enough. For example his failure to address the economy had hurt Russia badly. Radicals were also unhappy with him because they felt he wasn't changing enough or not changing things fast enough.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete-never stood in an election by the people
ReplyDelete-people riseing up against comunisum, gorbachev refused to use force against the people
-soviet troops killed inocent ceviliens inlithuania they were never punished
-was in 72hrs of issolation in his summer home
-yetsin baned comunisum then gorbachev resigned
The Soviet's struggle in the Arms Race instigated Gorbachev's pursuit of peace however he was not well versed in diplomacy.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev's vacation home becomes surrounded with all communication cut off.
-By 1990 the one party state was basically gone
ReplyDelete-Some people in the Soviet Union thought Gorbachev betrayed them by taking down the Berlin Wall and unifying Berlin
-The communist coup was not successful due to lack of support
Gorbachev and Reagan kept working at disarming nuclear weapons and lessening the threat of nuclear war. He had the Berlin wall torn down and reunited Germany. He was too sure about the value that his good deeds held and did not believe of the threat of coup or other political threats. He took responsibility for what had happened in the coup.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev's actions were seen as moving too fast by the Communists and too slow by the Radicals. He spent time at his house in isolation.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev did not mean to destroy the USSR but rather have a less extreme communism. Gorbachev is given the boot and locked in a house for 3 days. Yeltsin takes over and banned the communist party. #byefelicia #USA #byecommunism #herecomesputin
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThe soviet union was no more after Gorbachev was out of office
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev risk his future for his friend who was Jewish during the time of antisemitism
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev had played his career as a lawyer
-gorbachev joins comunist party of the soviet union
ReplyDelete-called stalin a spinless general to protect a friend
met his wife at a dance class, loved communist ideals
ReplyDeleteGorbachev actually attended the funeral of Stalin, and seemed (According to the documentary) to actually be upset. Perhaps when he rose to office and became more involved in the government he was allowed access to more confidential information, and then began to detest Stalin.
ReplyDeleteDuring a time of anti-semitism Gorbachev risked his own success due to his maintenance of Jewish friends at the time.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev openly criticized Stalin to protect his friend.
ReplyDeleteWas originally a "model communist" and liked the ideals of the CPSU, however, he had a strong sense of right and wrong which led him to defend a Jewish friend
ReplyDeleteCheck this out:
ReplyDeleteVladimir Putin ordered Russian special forces to steal MH370 and secretly landed it at huge space port in Kazakhstan, claims expert
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2967157/Vladimir-Putin-ordered-Russian-special-ops-steal-MH370-plane-secretly-landed-disused-space-port-Kazahkstan-expert-claims.html#ixzz3U6BTKuSu
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Gorbachev blamed Stalin and he was surprised people didn't agree with him.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev planned to be a lawyer, however after a few years gave it up to become a politician
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was cunning to climb higher in his job
ReplyDeleteGorbechev loved talking especially to the media
ReplyDelete-Child born in 1957 (daughter)
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev "built up" his communist career during the building of the Berlin Wall
-It was never thought (within the government) that he would be promoted so high
Gorbachev loved talking to the media. He was very open to the journalists.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev wanted to reform policies to improve things for the USSR.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev waited to take power of the Soviet Union. He did not try to get rid of his opponents and those in a higher position than he was unlike Stalin; he waited until the leaders either died or stepped out of their position.
ReplyDelete-Gorbachev grew frustrated with Brezhnev's leading
ReplyDelete-1980, Gorby became politburo member
-Gorby had to wait to become the leader because two people led and died right after Brezhnev
Gorbachev had to wait two more successors after Brezhnev to take power
ReplyDeleteBrezhnev died in 1982. Then Gorbachev's mentor, Andropov died in 1984. Then Chernenko died in 1985. Gorbachev finally assumed power.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was elected unanimously
ReplyDeleteThe Gorbachev's had one daughter, Irina. She was never allowed to use his powerful position to her advantage. She was just a normal girl.
ReplyDelete1956 - Gorbachev said Stalin was to blame
ReplyDeletehas only one child - a girl
1970 - became first secretary - used this job to climb higher
loved talking
gorbachev plays the waiting game - people gotta die
Gorbachev did not seem to have the "Cold war mentality"
ReplyDelete-Gorby used a new "silent leadership" style
ReplyDelete-Propoganda- he was purposely photographed with wife and Soviet citizen
-Gorby and Reagan met and surprisingly, Gorby acted very different than Soviet leaders of the past throughout Cold War history
- when he first met his wife he laughed at her and her dance partner for their extreme hight difference
ReplyDeleteChernobyl incident led to major problems between Gorby and the People
ReplyDeleteApril 26, 1986- Chernobyl disaster
ReplyDeleteGorbachev said nothing publicly about the Chernobyl disaster until a month after it happened.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev insisted on having his pictures taken with his wife.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was fighting for the rights of the soviet people
ReplyDeletethe truth is out #thanksgorby
ReplyDeleteGorby waited over 2 weeks to address the Chernobyl issue (awk)
ReplyDeleteGorbachev changed the face of the world
ReplyDeleteGorby was super down to earth, brought daughter lunch
ReplyDeleteLiked meeting people, very open with media
Met with Reagan to prevent nuclear conflict at all cost.
Poetry
DeleteDeeper than an angst mine full of hipsters
Delete- Gorbachev was not an Orthodox communist.
ReplyDelete- He created Glasnost (Openness) but the Chernobyl accident tested him in regards to it and he failed.
- Brezhnev had two other successors until Gorbachev, Andropov and Chernenko
Gorbachev found out that the single-party system was flawed and could not be improved so he was the first one to suggest to get rid of the single-party system.
ReplyDeleteThese videos are Gorby-tastic
ReplyDeleteGorbachev wanted to reform the communist system
ReplyDelete"it wasnt full blown democracy, but it was the beginning of the end of the communist system" -narrator
ReplyDelete-Gorby got the Soviet Union much closer to democracy and helped to end the cold war.
ReplyDeletegorby is breathtaking
ReplyDelete"One Party System? Nah."
ReplyDelete-Gorby
Gorb had to end the Cold War bc the arms was killing their economy
ReplyDeleteSawvyawt Yoonyon
ReplyDelete-Gorby "was desperate to learn" about foreign affairs
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was reincarnated as Jhyer.
ReplyDeletegorby tries to learn what foreign affairs is #summittalks
ReplyDeleteGorb was desperate to learn foreign affairs because he didn't know anything about them
ReplyDelete- Gorbachev was the beginning of the end of Soviet Communism.
ReplyDelete- He hosted "elections"
- Gorbachev had to end the Cold War
- He was inexperienced in foreign affairs
The "G" in Gorbachev stands for "Great"
ReplyDeleteMore like "Ghost"
DeleteAnd everyone knows ghosts are nerds
Gorbachev's birthmark is very big, AND IT IS SAID TO BE VERY DISTRACTING AT TIMES
ReplyDeleteGorby and Ronald became tight bros at their summits
ReplyDeleteGorby's book is smaller and less impressive looking than Reagan's.
ReplyDeleteCommies: 0
Murica: 1
Your move, Commies
Hemos hecho historia
ReplyDelete1989 (THE BIRTHYEAR OF T-Swizzle!!) was filled with demonstrations in Europe as the Berlin Wall came down.
ReplyDeleteGorby seems like he was hella rad.
ReplyDeleteSo far, he hasn't let the power go to his head. #fourforyouGorby #yougoGorby
Gorbachev neglected the economy and the economy was floundering.
ReplyDeletethe economy was a flounder
ReplyDeleteThey hated Gorbachev because he gave too much too quickly to the people
ReplyDelete"Senor Gorby"
ReplyDeleteGorby was too passive,
ReplyDeleteLooks like Gorbachev is about to by Gorby-gone
gorby doesn't care about the peeps feelings #rude
ReplyDeleteThe communists in the nation did not approve of Gorbachev and blamed him for the bad economy
ReplyDeleteGorby underestimated nationalism, you should never underestimate nationalism...
ReplyDeleteThat poor lawn.
ReplyDelete"Sahviet"
ReplyDelete-Lithuania demanded independence
ReplyDelete-things got violent very quickly after talking didn't work
-Soviet troops killed citizens but did not engage in war
-Gorbachev did not punish them
Lithuania was demanding freedom and when talking failed, the Soviets brought in tanks. Many civilians were killed but always withdrew before full on war broke out.
ReplyDeletetahnks
DeleteRadicals were scared bc Gorb was making more "hardliners" in the govt
ReplyDeleteGorby regrets he didn't move fast.
ReplyDeletegorby is slow
ReplyDeleteWrecking the Sawveeyet Stayt
ReplyDeleteReforms2fast4Gorby
gorby goes on spring break!!! #vaca
ReplyDeleteGorbachev recognizes his mistakes, which is swell. #everbodymakesmistakes #hannahmontana
ReplyDeleteThose commies are not being very safe
ReplyDeleteThe soviet state just got wrecked by gorby.
ReplyDeleteThey should put "Do not play on or around tanks" stickers on them
ReplyDelete#shocked
ReplyDelete#stunned
#unbroken
¡Yeltsin! ¡Yeltsin! ¡Yeltsin!
ReplyDeleteI sawr the cawrs from the ayerpoert
ReplyDeleteHe had a vacation home on Cape Cod in Wellfleet. Jhyer and Gorbachev became best buds
ReplyDeleteGorby regrets he didn't move fast.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev resigned December 25, 1991
ReplyDeletebye bye gorby
ReplyDeleteSoviet FIN
ReplyDeleteGorbachev is blamed for Russia's issues.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev resigned December 25, 1991
ReplyDeleteGorbachev changed the world
ReplyDeleteGorbachev wanted to reform the communist system
ReplyDeleteYeltsin banned communism. Gorby had to leave the Kremlin for the political wilderness.
ReplyDeleteGorby's birthmark looks a bit like a guys face with a beard
ReplyDeleteGorby should grow a beard to keep him warm in the political wilderness
*1991
ReplyDelete"couldnt control the forces he set free"
ReplyDeleteHe went on vacation...? Okay?? Is that bad? Why is this so distressing for that guy who spoke about it at a meeting?
ReplyDeleteFuneral was held for three civilians. RIP, Commies
Gorbachev resigned, so things fell apart. Gorby was like the mitochondria of the Soviet Union. He was clearly the powerhouse of this Communist cell.
-Gorby considered the 1960's to be a very special generation and very different from the others
ReplyDelete*62
ReplyDelete02635, if you know what I mean
DeleteLithuania talks smack
ReplyDeleteCommies deliver smack with tanks
Gorbachev was viewed by the West as a statesmen, but with a lot of controversy by the USSR and its citizens who still blame their problems and slow progression as a country on him.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev used his education to propel him thorough political ranks and was often regarded as a teachers pet. He was a very bright student and other students looked up to him and as a result he led them.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev experienced the German invasion of the USSR in 1941 when he was only 10. He had half a dozen relatives die on the front fighting the Germans. He was forced to grow up fast while his father was away and when he returned he worked hard beside him to bring in a record harvest.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev returned to his homeland with his wife planning on becoming a lawyer. He soon changed his mind and jumped at the chance of becoming a communist official and became a secretary for a communist sector. Gorbachev was against Stalin and believed that he was to blame for the misfortunes that were brought upon his country.
ReplyDeleteGorbachev allowed for the members of the communist party to take a vote and move take democratic actions in order to prevent a rebellion against his decisions and the party from turning on him
ReplyDeleteGorbachev was both the first son and grandson in his family. His father was a mechanic and devoted much of his time to young people. Gorbachev liked music, singing, and dance, and was a teacher's pet, despite being well liked by his peers.
ReplyDeleteGorbahev gave up his lawyer job to become a Communist official. He and his wife had one child, Irene, born in 1957. He was often relied on for making crucial decisions in order to stand out. He befriended the head of the KGB, among other important people. People did not expect him to be promoted so much. He loves speaking to the media. The only First Secretary of hte Party Committee to be open with the press. He often called the newspaper to make comments. He never allowed his daughter to take advantage of his position of power.
ReplyDeleteHe realized that the one party system could not be improved. Persuaded the communists to back elections, beginning the end of the communist system. Was afraid that he would be ousted and stripped of all power. Millions watched the debates on tv. Free Speech was outlawed so it was breathtaking to watch these debates. Decided he had to end the Cold War because the arms race was crippling the economy He knew nothing of foreign affairs but was desperate to learn. He was "a good listener". Believes all leader of the time deserve praise. He refused to use force against Easter Europeans who were rising up, ensuring their freedom.
ReplyDelete