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What was Gorbachev's approach to foreign policy during his tenure as the Soviet leader?

Tobie Sutherby

During his tenure as the Soviet leader, Gorbachev's approach to foreign policy was marked by a significant shift from the previous policies of his predecessors. He believed in a more cooperative relationship with the West, and sought to establish closer ties with the United States and Europe. This led to a series of diplomatic initiatives, including the signing of several arms-control treaties and agreements on reducing nuclear weapons arsenals with the U.S.

Gorbachev also sought to normalize relations with China, by opening up negotiations with the Chinese government. This marked a significant departure from the Soviet Union's previous opposition to China, and helped to improve overall relations between the two countries.

At the same time, Gorbachev pursued a policy of "perestroika," or restructuring, which aimed to modernize the Soviet economy and political system. This included greater economic liberalization, allowing for more private enterprise and reducing the state's control over the economy. While these changes led to some economic growth in the short term, they ultimately proved to be insufficient to prevent the collapse of the Soviet Union.

In foreign affairs, Gorbachev's new approach was met with some resistance from conservatives within the Soviet government, who viewed his policies as a betrayal of the traditional Soviet ideology. Additionally, Soviet allies in Eastern Europe such as Poland and Hungary began to question their own ties to the Soviet Union, with some pushing for greater independence.

Ultimately, while Gorbachev's policies brought some significant changes to the Soviet Union's relationship with the West and China, they were also ultimately unable to save the Soviet Union from collapse. Nevertheless, Gorbachev's legacy as a reformer and modernizer continues to be remembered and discussed today.