Perestroika & Glasnost (The End of the Soviet Union)

Mikhail Gorbachev becomes the leader of the Soviet Union in 1985.
His policies were centred around the idea of reforming and modernizing the Soviet Union.

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Credit:
Created by Daniel Turner
(B.A. (Hons) in History, University College London)
Narrator:

Chris Kane

Music Credit:

Sources:

[-socialcredit]

Fun fact: Gorbachev was the only Soviet leader to be actually born in the USSR (i.e after the Russian Empire)

[angrycabbage]

Did you get your Pizza hut?
Gorbachev: Yes
What did it cost?
Gorbachev: Everything

[Simplehistory]

Gorbachev's new policies to tackle the stagnation of the USSR
Perestroika = "restructuring" the Soviet Economy, almost towards capitalism
Glasnost = "openness" of the USSR its censorship of media, culture, and corruption

[mochawatte]

“We weren’t able to buy anything, we had money, now we have everything but we don’t have the money” a quote that accurately represents the soviet economy

[brandonfarley]

I’d be really cool if you you did a Cold War factions series

[rj]

McDonald’s logo- Yellow letter and red background
Communist logo- Yellow hammer and sickle and red background

[aleksandarvil]

Chernobyl Disaster; Afghanistan War :

_“We're About To End This Country's Whole Career.”_

[saltymcsaltface]

A Russian friend once said "Glasnost was like hangover after a weekend binge"

[JohnnyGuiltyMan]

I was honestly shocked when I recently learned that Gorbachev is still alive. He's a very old man now but I had thought that he would have been assasinated after the fall of USSR

[JeveGreen]

"Shook hands with both Ronalds! Reagan and McDonalds, no doubt!"

[NobelTheKnave]

Pizza Hut: Exists

USSR before Gorbachev: *We don’t do that here*

Gorbachev after taking power: *But I do*

[paulnash]

When you realize the Soviet Union stood for 68 years 361 days:
*We were on the verge of greatness! We were this close!*

[thegunslinger]

Here after hearing the tragic news. Rest In peace Gorbachev.

[moviewolverine]

"Science has determined that the colors red and yellow cause people to feel hungry."
McDonald's logo *exists*
Soviet Hammer and Sickle: "Amateur."

[garmenlin]

"We are in grave danger from the capitalists"
-Gorbachev, 1981

[keegantripp]

The first manager of the Mcdonald's: "Business is booming."

[Fuzz]

I heard that Lenin tried a similar thing. He noticed a lack of support from the Russian middle class, since they weren't happy with the state taking away their businesses. There were plans to let some business owners keep their business to get their support. But he never got the chance to implement it. And Stalin threw this idea right off te table.

[calthepeacelovingclover]

Anastasia: "Dad can we have pizza hut?"
Gorbachev: "We have Pizza Hut at home."
Pizza Hut at home: *Chanting* "Hail to Gorbachev!"

[rickwong]

Farewell Mr. Gorbachev. Thanks for all the memories.

[michaelhowell]

Funny how you made Gorbachev the same height as Reagan. In real life Reagan was much taller than Gorbachev.