The Eastern bloc in the throes of change and the implosion of the Soviet Union
Perestroika and Glasnost, Gorbachev's reforms
Mikhail Gorbachev
ImageElected Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in October 1988 and President of the Soviet Union in March 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev was responsible for initiating the series of economic and political reforms behind ‘perestroika’ (restructuring).
Mikhail Gorbachev
ImageElected Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the USSR in October 1988 and then President of the Soviet Union in March 1990, Mikhail Gorbachev is responsible for initiating the series of economic and political reforms behind ‘glasnost’ (openness), introduced as part of ‘perestroika’ (restructuring).
Cartoon by Behrendt on Gorbachev's reforms in the Soviet Union (1985)
Image‘Forward, Comrades!’ In 1985, the cartoonist Behrendt sees Moscow’s new key man, Mikhail Gorbachev, as breaking away from the conservative ideology of his predecessors and arguing for an open, progressive policy.
‘The policy of "transparency" in the Soviet Union. Mr Gorbachev in a crackdown on old taboos …' from Le Monde (17 June 1987)
TexteOn 17 June 1987, the French daily newspaper Le Monde speculates on the reality of glasnost, the new policy of transparency in the Soviet Union.
Cartoon by Murschetz on Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union
Image‘Ice-breaker Gorbachev.’ In 1988, the German cartoonist, Luis Murschetz, portrays the difficulties faced by Mikhail Gorbachev, the new First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, in his attempts at introducing economic and political reforms in the Soviet bloc as the basis for perestroika.
Cartoon by Haitzinger on perestroika (March 1988)
Image‘The womb from which the vile beast emerged is still fertile … (B. Brecht).' In March 1988, the German cartoonist, Horst Haitzinger, illustrates the threat posed by neo-Stalinists to the policy pursued by Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, for the introduction of a programme of political and economic reform — the basis of perestroika — in the Soviet Union.
'Freedom? What freedom?' from Le Monde (28 May 1988)
TexteOn 28 May 1988, the French daily newspaper Le Monde outlines the political programme of the Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, who is seeking to transform the Soviet Union into a ‘Socialist State’.
Cartoon by Cummings on glasnost (24 August 1988)
ImageOn 24 August 1988, the British cartoonist, Michael Cummings, speculates on the ability of Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, to bring his plan for reforms and transparency in the Soviet Union under control.
Cartoon by Behrendt on the reaction of the United States and the EC to Gorbachev’s reforms in the Soviet Union (19 September 1989)
Image‘A brave man — but will he succeed?’ On 19 September 1989, Fritz Behrendt, a Dutch cartoonist originally from Berlin, illustrates the speculation of the United States and the European Community (EC) as to the chances of success of the political and economic reform programme known as perestroika introduced by Mikhail Gorbachev, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union. Taking inspiration from Greek mythology, Fritz Behrendt depicts Gorbachev (on the right) as Hercules, who has to battle the Hydra, a monster with many heads, one of which is immortal. Here the Hydra symbolises the cumbersome bureaucracy of the Soviet system that has to be overcome.
Article by Mikhail Gorbachev from Pravda (26 November 1989)
TexteOn 26 November 1989, in an article published in the Communist daily newspaper Pravda, Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, explains the fundamental principles of his policies of perestroika and glasnost.
Address given by Mikhail Gorbachev on the effects of perestroika (10 December 1989)
TexteOn 10 December 1989, Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, comments on the repercussions of perestroika on the satellite countries of the USSR. He recommends that the structures of the Warsaw Pact and of Comecon be strengthened and outlines relations with Western Europe and with the United States.
Glasnost board game (1989)
ImageIn 1989, a board game called ‘Glasnost’ is put on the market, proof of the new spirit of cooperation between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Report submitted by Mikhail Gorbachev (2 July 1990)
TexteIn a report submitted on 2 July 1990 to the 28th Congress of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), outlines the difficulties caused by perestroika and the changes which society must address.
The Soviet Union's new foreign policy
Cartoon by Behrendt on the burden of heritage in the Soviet Union (1986)
Image‘Gorbachev’s mission’. In 1986, the German cartoonist Behrendt illustrates the difficult task of the new General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Mikhail Gorbachev, who is facing strong Conservative forces and the country’s weighty Communist heritage.
‘Following Moscow's decisions: Europe-USSR relations' from Europe (5 October 1988)
TexteIn his editorial of 5 October 1988, Emanuele Gazzo, Director of Agence Europe, focuses principally on economic and trade relations between the European Community and a Soviet Union led by Mikhail Gorbachev.
Address given by Mikhail Gorbachev to the Council of Europe (6 July 1989)
TexteOn 6 July 1989, addressing the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, outlines his idea of ‘a common European home’ and calls for a reduction in the number of strategic nuclear weapons.
Address given by Mikhail Gorbachev on the USSR’s foreign policy (Moscow, 9 December 1989)
TexteOn 9 December 1989, during a meeting of Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union (CPSU), Mikhail Gorbachev, First Secretary of the Soviet Communist Party, outlines the effects of perestroika on the USSR’s foreign policy and expresses his satisfaction with the improvement in relations with the West.
'EEC and CMEA gain the seal of mutual approval' from The Guardian (13 December 1988)
TexteOn 13 December 1988, the British left-wing daily newspaper The Guardian considers the development of economic relations between the European Community and Comecon since Mikhail Gorbachev's coming to power in the Soviet Union.
Interview with Edward Shevardnadze on the Soviet Union’s foreign policy (26 June 1990)
TexteOn 26 June 1990, in an article for the Moscow Communist daily newspaper Pravda, Edward Shevardnadze, Soviet Foreign Minister, outlines the new trends in the Soviet Union’s foreign policy.
George Bush et Mikhaïl Gorbatchev signant les Accords Start I (Moscou, 31 juillet 1991)
ImageLe 31 juillet 1991, le président des États-Unis, George Bush (assis à g.) signe avec Mikhaïl Gorbatchev, Premier secrétaire du Parti communiste soviétique (assis à dr.), les accords START I prévoyant l'élimination mutuelle des armements nucléaires stratégiques des deux pays.
George H. W. Bush
ImageGeorge Herbert Walker Bush, Republican President of the United States from 1989 to 1993.
Discours de Mikhaïl Gorbatchev sur les enjeux de l'après-guerre froide (Fulton, 6 mai 1992)
TexteLe 6 mai 1992, Mikhaïl Gorbatchev, ancien président de l'URSS, prononce au Westminster College de Fulton (Missouri) - là-même où, le 5 mars 1946, Winston Churchill, Premier ministre britannique, avait dénoncé pour la première fois l'instauration du "rideau de fer" en Europe - un discours dans lequel il pointe notamment les enjeux de l'après-guerre froide.