Glasnost and Perestroika
In 1986 the term Glasnot was interpreted by the west as "openness"
This policy shocked the whole world
Since the tsars it was the first instance where a leader encouraged open debate about Russia
Results included:
Less censorship
A change of view of Soviet history
Andrei Sakharov was freed from exile (created the hydrogen bomb in Russia)
Stalin was denounced
Gorbachev announced socialism still hadn't set in
Published a book called "restructuring" which included:
Denouncing Stalin
Notion of one ideology one party
Admitted that Hungary in 1856 and Czechslovakia, 1968 were mistakes
Admitted his desire to return to dentente
Also wanted reform
This policy shocked the whole world
Since the tsars it was the first instance where a leader encouraged open debate about Russia
Results included:
Less censorship
A change of view of Soviet history
Andrei Sakharov was freed from exile (created the hydrogen bomb in Russia)
Stalin was denounced
Gorbachev announced socialism still hadn't set in
Published a book called "restructuring" which included:
Denouncing Stalin
Notion of one ideology one party
Admitted that Hungary in 1856 and Czechslovakia, 1968 were mistakes
Admitted his desire to return to dentente
Also wanted reform
Summary
The first instance in which a leader encouraged open debate about Russia occurred in 1986. The term Glasnot was interpreted by the West as "openness" and the policy put the world in a state of shock. As a result a number of changes could be seen which included: less censorship, a change of view in Soviet history, the freeing of Andrei Sakharov, and additionally Stalin was denounced. Following this Gorbachev had announced that socialism had not set in, and he published "restructuring" which explained: the notion of one ideology one party, admitted the fact that 1856 in Hungary and 1968 in Czechoslovakia were mistakes. Lastly he stated his desire for return and to return to detente.