Curated OER
Time: The Time 100: Leaders and Revolutionaries: Gorbachev: Portrait
Portrait of Mikhail Gorbachev.
InterKnowledge Corp.
The Soviet Era
Geographia presents a brief political and social history of Russia from the beginning of Soviet rule to the resignation of Gorbachev in 1990.
Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: The Presidency and the Cold War: Ronald Reagan
The National Portrait Gallery presents a look at presidential actions and decisions about the Cold War. Click on Ronald Reagan to see how his anti-Communist beliefs led to increases in the defense budget, but also, by the end of his...
BBC
Bbc: 1989: East German Leader Ousted
This BBC article describes how popular unrest which lead to the ousting of East Germany leader Erich Honecker. Examines protests on the part of East German citizens and Gorbachev's decision to remove Honecker.
BBC
Bbc: News: Collapse of the Ussr 10 Years On
Extensive information about the collapse of the USSR. Includes an interactive timeline from 1985 through 1991, an interactive map of the countries of the USSR with country profiles and timelines, eyewitness accounts of the collapse of...
Other
Temperament in Revolution Gorbachev
An excellent article about Gorbachev's appointment, goals, accomplishments, and personality.
BBC
Bbc: Russia: Fall and Rise in 25 Years
Steve Rosenberg looks back at the unpredictable events in Russia in 25 years since communism fell.
Other
Bucknell University: A Chronology of Russian History
An abridged timeline that details the history of Russia from 860 to present day.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Glasnost
Learn about the policy of Glasnost that was used by Mikhail Gorbachev to bring reforms to the Soviet Union.
Curated OER
Former Soviet Leader Mikhail Gorbachev
A look at those who participated in the 1991 Soviet Coup. Leaders of the failed coup describe how they had no regrets for their actions. Article dated July 5, 2001.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Russia: Postwar Growth Period
This overview of Soviet economic policy after WWII looks at the command or planned economies and decisions of Stalin, Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Gorbachev.
AllRefer
All Refer Reference: Soviet Union: Congress of People's Deputies
The Congress of People's Deputies was a Russian representative body (legislature) created during the Gorbachev era. This is an excellent article describing how the body was formed, membership, and responsibilities.
Other
On This Day: Democratisation
This essay gives background into the introduction of democracy into the Soviet Union in the late 1980's.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: Us Soviet Relations
The 1980s was a dynamic period in U.S.-Soviet relations. At the beginning of the decade, tensions between the two superpowers rose until 1985, when arms negotiations ensued between President Ronald Reagan and Soviet Premier Mikhail...
ibiblio
Ibiblio: Internal Workings of the Soviet System
This site briefly discusses the workings of the Soviet system and its leaders. Among those discussed are Stalin and his brutal use of police terror as well as Gorbachev and his perestroika plan.
Ducksters
Ducksters: The Cold War for Kids: Collapse of the Soviet Union
Kids learn about the history of the Collapse of the Soviet Union which put an end to the Cold War.
BBC
Bbc: Ex Putschists Defend 1991 Soviet Coup
A look at those who participated in the 1991 Soviet Coup. Leaders of the failed coup describe how they had no regrets for their actions. Article dated July 5, 2001.
PBS
Pbs: Frontline: The Gulf War
PBS Online and the TV show "Frontline" present information on the Persian Gulf War, a timeline, various maps, personal testimonies, and other resources.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: The Presidency of Ronald Reagan, Pt. 2: Foreign Policy
Under President Reagan, the Cold War began to thaw and trouble brewed in the Middle East. Learn about Reagan's foreign policy initiatives by perusing this summary, reading an excerpt from his "Evil Empire" speech, answering thought...
BBC
Bbc: Cold War: Reform, Coup and Collapse: The End of the Soviet State
A series of six pages that chronicle the demise of the Soviet Union.
Nobel Media AB
The Nobel Prize: Lech Walesa Biographical
The Nobel Foundation provides a brief biography of Lech Walesa after he won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1983. Contains a link to the Nobel presentation speech.