159. Young Putin, the KGB and the Soviet Union
The Rest Is History
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The Rise and Fall of Gorbachev
This chapter examines the leadership transition from Leonid Brezhnev to Yuri Andropov, focusing on Andropov's support for Mikhail Gorbachev despite his lack of experience. It discusses Gorbachev's idealistic vision for the Soviet Union and his reliance on Lenin's philosophies, contrasting it with the contempt he faced domestically. The chapter further explores the impact of his policies, including perestroika and glasnost, and how they inadvertently fueled nationalist movements that contributed to the Soviet Union's collapse.
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