Gorbachev - The Man Who Ended An Empire (406)

Cold War Conversations

In the annals of history, few leaders have faced the monumental challenges that Mikhail Gorbachev encountered when he rose to power in the Soviet Union in 1985.

His ascent came at a time when the nation was grappling with stagnation, disillusionment, and an economy on the brink of collapse. Gorbachev, the youngest General Secretary in Soviet history, was thrust into a leadership role that demanded not only a vision for reform but also the courage to confront an entrenched bureaucracy resistant to change.

In a new format I explore the life of Mikhail Gorbachev without a guest.

Recommended episodes

• Face to face with the Soviets at the Cold War Reykjavik Summit between President Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev https://pod.fo/e/244e66
• On the Streets of Cold War Estonia fighting for Independence https://pod.fo/e/222e82
• Eyewitness to the 1991 Soviet Coup https://pod.fo/e/f7f7

Episode extras https://coldwarconversations.com/episode406/

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00:00:00 Introduction

0:01:10 The Man from Stavropol

0:06:35 Acceleration and the Mirage of Momentum

0:13:15 The Opening to the West

0:20:26 Opening the Gates

0:28:08 Signing Away the Missiles

0:34:37 Nations within a Nation

0:40:36 The Centre Cannot Hold

0:46:51 The Coup that Failed

0:58:00 The Weight of Legacy

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