Question by AnGeLiSSi..: Why and how did Gorbachev’s attempts at reform lead to the unravelling of the Soviet system?
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Answer by Warren T
GORBACHEV’S BIGGEST MISTAKE IS THAT HE DIDN’T DO WHAT DENG XIO PENG DID IN CHINA
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Recovering Republica says
Gorbachev wanted to gradually implement free markets and representative governments very gradually but with great resistance from the old hard line commies in the party. The people in the satellite countries became impatient and took to the streets demanding to leave the Soviet Union. Moscow, namely Gorbachev did nothing to stop it. Eventually, the hard liners tried a coupand, although it lead to Gorby's departure, the coup was put down by Boris Yeltzen and his people, and the rest as they say is history. The Soviet Union is no more.
Vulcan says
It couldn't have gone any other way – The Soviet Union was broke – it had been broke for years. Their ruble was never traded like a real currency. They really weren't part of this world – and then suddenly they were faced (when computers came) with no way to maintain their blanket of secrecy on everything.
The Soviets were total idiots – they sort of remind me of the new republicans – full of fake patriotism and posturing.