Chapter 26 Notes
The Crisis in the Soviet Union125. Leadership was desperate, country in shambles? Studied as agriculture researcher ? Prepped to become leader? Came to attention of Andropov-party general secretary? Nice smile, iron teeth? Reform leader of Soviets Mikhail S. Gorbachev rose to power? Called it perestroika? Had to persuade economic restructuring? More productivity? Better quality? Decentralize? Proceeded cautiously, initially met with conflict? Old economy worked for industrialization, needed something new for contemporary world? Allowed criticism of system, introspection? Freed press? Glasnost ? Country thawed, newspapers, theater, arts and politics, as well as books and plays were freer to be published ? People freer? Legal codes revised? Possible tolerance for religion?