Analysis of Three Books About Gorbachev
The history of the Soviet Union is complicated and fascinating. In the course of only seventy years this country has seen the development of the totally new system of state, economic growth, the growth of hopes for the "brighter future", and then the sudden and expected by no one collapse of the whole system leading to chaos, wars, and confusion. One period is especially important in order to realize how did things finally started to change after the seventy years of blindly pursuing the dream of communism which left the Soviet Union in a very bad economical and moral state, and this period is called perestroika, Russian for restructuring. The main figure behind this process which began in
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This influence lasted for years and the fact that Gorbachev has become
"westernized" in his appearance, manners, dress and the "image he projects of tolerance and cordial behavior, all the small signs which mark him as different from the usual Komsomol and Party boss", is according to Medvedev due to a great extent to the fact that Mlynar was Gorbachev's roommate (Medvedev, 1986, p. 43).
Although the first part of the book is certainly interesting and important I would like to concentrate on the second part of the book since it is directly deals with the subject that interests me most, that is the years when Gorbachev was in power and the development of the new course in the Soviet life called perestroika. From just reading the first paragraph it is obvious that the author approves of the new leader. Medvedev writes: "For the first time in
Soviet history, the leadership succession has meant more than the arrival of a new leader and the possibility of the implementation of the new policies. The
Gorbachev succession marks the appearance of a new political generation which differs from the old guard in style, knowledge and historical vision....Gorbachev represents a younger post-war political generation, a generation which started its professional Party or state career during the more liberal Krushchev era" (p. 165). Medvedev quotes some of the very enthusiastic
Western newspaper comments which called Gorbachev a "bright, incisive,
Although he seemed to be steering the Soviet Union in the right direction, his people and colleagues still viewed him critically. He had begun to realize that a state could not be run with a lot of "brain-washed helots". He shifted the economy as to raise the standard of living. This in turn began the development of individual thinkers, Soviets with a mind of their own. In order to allow this new wave
The democratization, economic liberalization, and eventual collapse of the Soviet Union is commonly attributed to Mikhail Gorbachev's Perestroika and Glasnost reforms during the period of 1985-1991. This purpose of these reforms is still a trenchant question as the countries of the old Soviet Union, particular Russia, are being pressured to further liberalize their economies.
The Soviet Union, which was once a world superpower in the 19th century saw itself in chaos going into the 20th century. These chaoses were marked by the new ideas brought in by the new leaders who had emerged eventually into power. Almost every aspect of the Soviet Union was crumbling at this period both politically and socially, as well as the economy. There were underlying reasons for the collapse of communism in the Soviet Union and eventually Eastern Europe. The economy is the most significant aspect of every government. The soviet economy was highly centralized with a “command economy” (p.1. fsmitha.com), which had been broken down due to its complexity and centrally controlled with corruption involved in it. A strong government
In the book at present appears to be intriguing to you, keep on going for the accompanying steps. Whether not, pick in turn book.
For many decades, Russia was isolated from other part of the world politically and geographically. During the First World War, Russia’s industrialization was progressing fairly, as they implemented an education reform program to promote literacy among people. The program would have been successful if it was continued without obstacles. They also implemented a program named Stolypin in order to modernize the agriculture, which was bringing successful changes to the country; however, the Stolypin program was not completed because of problems such as War, the absent of a proper parliament institutions ,the corruption and excess of power among the secret police. Ethnicity in Russia groups was also among the problems as the Russian empire was becoming anarchical and it was getting difficult to maintain it due to pressure form the population who felt that their basic need were not being responded while the monarchy was having an extravagant lifestyle (Kennan,1). By 1917, most Russian were now convinced about the fact that Czar Nicholas II was not good enough to help revive the economy in Russia. Also, Corruption in the government was still untouched and the king had already dissolved the Duma because they did not agree to his will. The economy was still backward, without jobs, frustrated people were tired of the conditions that they lived
Mansur Abdulin takes his experiences on the front ranks and shares them in great detail in his book Red Road From Stalingrad. By describing all the things that are happening in the day to day combat, Abdulin is also giving the readers a glimpse at himself. He tells of mental and physical aspects of battle and shows how it effects all involved. His descriptions and feelings bring the readers into his mind and heart and they see the real Abdulin. His intent is to show and share the “real” life of war and battle. He cares for the cause and is a strong passionate Soviet soldier; however he also creates a different kind of hero by letting his loyalty and conscience to be his guide.
The concept of Stalinism, being the ideologies and policies adopted by Stalin, including centralization, totalitarianism and communism, impacted, to an extent, on the soviet state until 1941. After competing with prominent Bolshevik party members Stalin emerged as the sole leader of the party in 1929. From this moment, Stalinism pervaded every level of society. Despite the hindrance caused by the bureaucracy, the impact of Stalinism was achieved through the implementation of collectivization and the 5-year plans, Stalin’s Political domination and Cultural influence, including the ‘Cult of the Personality’. This therefore depicts the influence of Stalinism over the Soviet State in the period up to 1941.
What should our textbook emphasize on, about a country whose government killed more people than the Nazis did? The Soviet Union had amazing achievements as well as bad ones. Both, of course, should be noted, but some are far more important than others. Their cultural achievements, social and economic conditions and military are the main ones in my opinion and should be included in the textbooks.
During his rule, the Soviet Union
A power struggle within the Soviet Communist Party was triggered by Vladimir Lenin’s death in 1924, and shortly after, Joseph Stalin seized control of the party, quashing all potential opposition to his leadership. Thereafter, the late 1920’s and early 1930’s saw fundamental changes to the Soviet Union. It was during this period that Joseph Stalin consolidated his authority and was allowed to rule without opposition, becoming the clear ‘vozhd’ and introducing his “revolution from above” (McKay 903) on the Soviet population. In 1931, with the first 5 year plan well underway, Stalin made a pivotal speech to the First Conference of Soviet Industrial Managers titled ‘No Slowdown in Tempo!’, speaking to them “in terms of hard-line Russian nationalism”
Malenkov’s post was then given to Bulganin who had little influence. Khrushchev had become the most important figure within the collective leadership. (A Country Study)
Firstly, Kennan explains that the Soviet political personality is made up by the marriage of Soviet ideology - namely the Russian-Communist projection of Marxism - and the circumstances of the power Communist leaders exercised in Russia for the previous three decades. The initial Soviet ideology is characterised by the basic belief that the Capitalist system is flawed and leads to the exploitation of the working class - hence the necessity for Russian expansion. The Soviets also believe that, while Capitalism contains the seeds of its own destruction, a final push by a proletariat revolution will be needed to finally topple the system. Despite the supposed widespread
During Russia’s transition to communism in the early 20th century, conflict and unease permeated every part of life. Nothing was stable and very little of what the Bolsheviks had fought for had come to fruition by the time the USSR disbanded in 1991. The “classless society”, which was to work together for the prosperity of everyone, never became a reality. In the end, the majority of Russia’s 20th century was an utter failure on a grand scale. However, there were many amazing products of the system do to the great importance of education in Russian culture. Priceless novels were written, timeless movies were made, and great scientific endeavors were realized despite the rigid control placed upon Russian persons by the government. In
To top things off, the Second World War broke out and drained most of what was left of the already impoverished state. Although Russia came out of the war a super power, the death of Stalin in 1953 marked the end of supreme power for the head of the Communist party. For the next several years, Russia went through different leaders trying to find one to save the suffering society. Khrushchev achieved minor reforms, but was dismissed due to shortages in grain and dairy products and his blame for the Cuban Missile Crisis. Leonid Brezhnev reversed most of the progress made by Krushchev and restored many of Stalin's political disciplinary policies.
The most powerful entities of Russia (one of the main Soviet Union creators) took control when they began to spread the motto "all power to the soviets." It is at this time that the monarchy of Tsar Nicholas II was threatened and finally destroyed in 1917. From this year, began the establishment of a social state and free of exploiters was consolidated until more than a dozen countries were they joined him.