March 2, 1931
Overview:
Mikhail Gorbachev was a bold leader, whose kindness and charm won over millions. In a strict country where the elite admonished new ideas, he reached out and helped an ailing population and the world. His contributions to society will forever be remembered.
Country:
Russia
Type
of hero: Civil and Political Rights
Attributes:
World Leader
Biography:
As a child Mikhail Sergeevich Gorbachev was referred to by his parents, Sergei and Maria Gorbachev, as “Misha.” Born on March 2, 1931 Gorbachev lived in a small Russian farmer’s town called Privolnoye, part of the region known as Stavropol. The Soviet leader at this time was Joseph Stalin. Stalin’s policies, most importantly collectivization (joining together small farms to make larger farms run by the government), were leading to disaster. Gorbachev witnessed the very beginning and was fortunate enough not to resist collectivization like thousands of other farmers. Living on a government-owned farm, Gorbachev watched as friends and neighbours were forced off their land, thrown in jail and even killed. During World War II Gorbachev’s father went off to fight the German’s, and the family’s money began to run out. However his mother eventually was able to gather enough money to send Gorbachev to school where he proved to be an excellent student. During his father’s absence Gorbachev became intense emotionally and intellectually. Walking to school 12 miles to maintain his studies he still found time to work on the farm. He was referred to as a young intellectual and soon found that when it came to politics and debating he had no equal. Applying for membership to the communist party in 1950, he was accepted in 1952 as he was now attending Moscow State University. Here he met and married his wife Raisa Titorenko in 1954 and sharpened his political skills.
Gorbachev’s climb to the top of the Russian political ladder took 23 years, but promotions and advancements came easily along the way. He was admired by his friends, colleagues and eventually supporters for his honesty, loyalty, leadership qualities and natural intelligence. At the age of 47 he was offered the job as secretary of agriculture of the party’s Central Committee. Gorbachev suddenly became one of the most powerful individuals in the Soviet Union. Two years later he was named a full member of the Politburo, the Soviet Union’s governing body. At the age of 49 was twenty years younger than the average of the other 14 members. He soon was asked to travel abroad with his close friend and now general secretary Uri Andropov. In 1983 Gorbachev visited Canada where he greatly impressed the Canadians. Unlike soviet leaders before him he did not shy away from admitting his country’s shortcoming, failures and from answering tough questions. He was very open and truthful, gaining the respect of the Canadian government. One year later, Andropov’s health failed and he died of kidney failure. Konstantin Chernenko was elected to fill the roll of general secretary. At the age of 72 he was the last remaining leader from the Stalin era. Members of the Soviet government did not want change and feared Gorbachev’s dynamic personality. However, Chernenko’s health was failing. At Andropov’s funeral he could barely even finish his speech. Conversely, Gorbachev showed his vigour and warmth. While all other Soviet leaders ignored the tears of Andropov’s widow, Gorbachev put his arm around her in comfort.
Gorbachev still travelled to Great Britain where he and his wife charmed the British Public. Meanwhile Chernenko passed away on March 10, 1985 paving the way for a new era and new ideas led by Mikhail Gorbachev.
Immediately after being elected general secretary of the Communist party of the Soviet Union, Gorbachev began to make changes. He said he intended to open up the economy to new growth possibilities, allowing some privately owned factories and farms. He wanted the people to publicly express their views, participate in the government and travel abroad. In the world of political conservatism and resistance to change, Gorbachev’s ideas were revolutionary and drastic. As a Communist country there was no such thing as private industries, and as a “closed society” no opinions were aired publicly unless the government approved them. The “old guard,” or the conservative men in the Politburo were scared of losing their power in a more liberal and open society. However, the people mainly were overjoyed.
He created a system where workers were given cash bonus for hard work. Farmers were given more freedom to earn more and manage their farms. He introduced computers to the Soviet Union for use in public. Most astonishingly he encouraged public debate. He sought advice from Soviet citizens. In a society where citizens were once imprisoned for criticizing the government, he openly advised people to speak out publicly without fear of penalty. However, they still could not criticize high ranking officials, the military or the KGB. Gorbachev called this freedom “glasnost,” or openness. Glasnost’s effect was tremendous, now even rock music was allowed in this once rigid society. He curbed alcoholism in a country where there were an estimated 9 million alcoholics. Drinking was so bad because many people were bored or depressed, and used the substance to forget their troubles. This problem cost the country an estimated $8 billion in lost productivity, crime, car accidents and health care to drinking. In 1985 when touring the Soviet Union everywhere he went he was a success. His warmth, caring and plainspoken manner won the people over. Publishing a book, “Perestroika: New Thinking for Our Country and the World,” his celebrity grew to be international. He freed Anatoly Sharansky, a Jew imprisoned for nine years, accused of spying for the United States. He even invited Andrei Sakharov, an exiled Nobel Prize-winning physicist, to return to Moscow.
Gorbachev turned his attention to an even larger obstacle relations with the United States and the Cold War. The Soviet Union could no longer afford spending millions of dollars on military might while millions of people grew hungry. In November, 1985 Gorbachev met with President Ronald Reagan two discuss peace and the ending of the arms race in Geneva, Switzerland. The two leaders agreed to reduce nuclear weapons on both sides by half and renew educational, cultural, scientific, and athletic exchanges between their two countries. Gorbachev and Reagan met again in Reykjavik, Iceland, in October 1986. This time the whole world watched very closely and was disappointed when no compromises were agreed upon. The major issue involved ending Star Wars, a Strategic Defense System that would shoot down incoming Soviet Missiles. Gorbachev was firm in asking for an end to SDI, while Reagan stubbornly refused to let the project go. Gorbachev was considered a bold innovator, who was willing to take risks and sacrifices. On December 8, 1987 Gorbachev visited the United States. He won over the American public with his intelligence and humor in answering questions and even was nicknamed “Gorby.” A historical agreement was reached eliminating an entire nuclear weapon class.
Gorbachev once again returned to the United States in December, 1988. While speaking at the United Nations he shocked the General Assembly with amazing announcements. He would reduce the number of troops stationed in Eastern Europe by 500,000 men and 10,000 tanks. He promised the release of political prisoners and issuing visas and called for a cease-fire in Afghanistan on January 1, 1989. Then while riding down the heart of New York city he stopped his car and got out and greeted the American public. However disaster struck back at home when and earthquake struck Armenia, killing over 25,000 people and injuring countless more. Realizing the extent of the damage, unlike his predecessors Gorbachev asked for outside aid. By doing this he was telling the world that the Soviet Union no longer was independent from the world economy. Gorbachev’s policy of glasnost worked wonders and allowed news to spread freely. It influenced neighbouring countries as well.
Although the economy still struggled Gorbachev introduced revolutionary ideas and put many into action. He was a bold leader, whose kindness and charm won over millions. In a strict country where the elite admonished new ideas, he reached out and helped an ailing population and the world. His contributions to society will forever be remembered.
Citations
& References:
References
Sproule, Anna. Mikhail Gorbachev: Revolutionary for Democracy. Milwaukee: Gareth Stevens Children’s Books, 1991
Sullivan, George. Mikhail Gorbachev. New York: Julian Messner, 1991.
Selfridge, John W. Mikhail Gorbachev World Statesman. NA: Chelsea House Publishers, 1992
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