Gorbachev's 'new thinking'
I can explain Gorbachev's 'new thinking' and its impact on US-Soviet relations.
Gorbachev's 'new thinking'
I can explain Gorbachev's 'new thinking' and its impact on US-Soviet relations.
These resources will be removed by end of Summer Term 2025.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- By the mid-1980s, the USSR was facing a range of serious problems.
- Gorbachev became Soviet leader in March 1985, determined to reform communism in the USSR.
- Through his policy of perestroika, Gorbachev reorganised and restructured the Soviet state.
- Through Gorbachev's policy of glasnost, the USSR adopted a more open approach to government and foreign relations.
- Reagan worked with Gorbachev to reduce Cold War tensions and important steps were taken to limit nuclear weapons.
Keywords
Standard of living - the level of wealth, comfort, and access to goods and services available to a person or community
Martial law - when the military takes over the normal functions of government in an emergency
Reform - to make changes in order to improve something
Market competition - when businesses compete to win customers by providing better products, services, or prices than others
Disarmament - the process of reducing or eliminating military forces and weapons to promote peace and security
Common misconception
Gorbachev succeeded Brezhnev as leader of the Soviet Union in March 1985.
Brezhnev died in November 1982. Following his death, the Soviet Union was ruled by two leaders who were in poor health and ruled only briefly: Yuri Andropov (November 1982 - February 1984) and Konstantin Chernenko (February 1984 - March 1985).
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Gorbachev's 'new thinking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your year 11 history lesson on: Gorbachev's 'new thinking', download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
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Explore more key stage 4 history lessons from the The end of the Cold War, 1970-91 unit, dive into the full secondary history curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.
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Adult supervision recommended
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Lesson video
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Starter quiz
6 Questions
