Mikhail Gorbachev's policies significantly altered the relationship between the Soviet Union and the United States during the late 1980s and early 1990s. Gorbachev's reforms, known as *glasnost* (openness) and *perestroika* (restructuring), had a profound impact on both domestic and international affairs. Here are some key ways in which Gorbachev's policies changed relations between the Soviet Union and the United States:
1. Détente and Arms Control:
Gorbachev's commitment to arms control and reduction paved the way for improved relations with the United States. He initiated several key arms control agreements with the U.S., including the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty in 1987, which eliminated an entire class of nuclear missiles. This marked a significant step in reducing the risk of nuclear war between the two superpowers.
2. Peaceful Coexistence:
Gorbachev's policy of *peaceful coexistence* signaled a shift away from the confrontational Cold War policies of the past. He sought to improve political, economic, and cultural relations with Western countries, including the U.S. This change in approach led to increased cooperation and dialogue between the two nations.
3.Glasnost and Perestroika:
Gorbachev's domestic reforms of *glasnost* and *perestroika* had unintended consequences on the international stage. The increased openness and transparency within the Soviet Union led to criticism and challenges to the communist system, ultimately contributing to the collapse of the Soviet Union. This turn of events had a profound impact on the global power balance and altered the dynamic between the Soviet Union and the United States.
4.Fall of the Berlin Wall and Reunification of Germany:
Perhaps the most significant impact of Gorbachev's policies was the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 and the reunification of Germany in 1990. Gorbachev's decision to allow East Germany to reunite with West Germany marked the end of the division of Europe and significantly reduced the influence of the Soviet Union in Eastern Europe.
5. End of the Cold War:
The cumulative effect of Gorbachev's policies, including those mentioned above, contributed to the eventual end of the Cold War. The improved relations between the Soviet Union and the United States, the reduction in nuclear arsenals, and the political transformations within the Soviet bloc led to a significant thaw in tensions between the two superpowers and marked the beginning of a new era of global geopolitics.
In summary, Mikhail Gorbachev's policies brought about significant changes in relations between the Soviet Union and the United States. His commitment to arms control, peaceful coexistence, and domestic reforms paved the way for increased cooperation, reduced nuclear threats, and ultimately the end of the Cold War.