Legacy Encore: Gorbachev | The Man Who Lost an Empire | 4
Jan 13, 2026
Explore the tumultuous era of Gorbachev's leadership during the collapse of the Soviet Union. Delve into the events of the 1991 coup, the rise of Boris Yeltsin, and the struggles with nationalism that unraveled the empire. Discover Gorbachev's surprising public image, notably through a Pizza Hut ad, and his complex relationship with Putin. Finally, reflect on Gorbachev's legacy and the lessons it holds for today as Russia grapples with its past.
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Coup At The Crimean Dacha
- Gorbachev was confronted at his Crimean dacha by coup plotters who cut phone lines and demanded he sign a state-of-emergency letter.
- He feared betrayal from close allies, realizing his only hope might be his rival Boris Yeltsin.
Reforms Opened The Empire's Fault Lines
- Perestroika and Glasnost unleashed economic collapse, shortages and 300% inflation by 1991.
- Political liberalisation accelerated nationalist independence movements that Gorbachev could not realistically reverse.
National Identity Outpaced Central Control
- National identities suppressed under Soviet rule resurfaced quickly once freedoms spread.
- The Baltic and other republics mobilised rapidly, making the union's breakup feel inevitable.