Who was Mikhail Gorbachev?

Mikhail Gorbachev is best known as the leader who implemented significant reforms in Soviet policies during his tenure as General Secretary of the Communist Party and later as the leader of the Soviet Union. His introduction of glasnost (openness) and perestroika (restructuring) aimed to modernize the Soviet economy and make the government more transparent and accountable to its citizens. These reforms marked a pivotal change in Soviet domestic and foreign policy and contributed to the eventual dissolution of the Soviet Union. Gorbachev's efforts were key in reducing Cold War tensions and fostering dialogue with Western nations, which led to major arms reduction agreements. His legacy is tied closely to these transformative policies that shifted the landscape of global politics in the late 20th century.